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Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notat  /  NotM  tachniquas  at  bibliographiquat 


The  Institute  hat  attempted  to  obtain  the  bast  original 
copy  available  for  f ilmirig.  Features  of  this  copy  which 
may  be  bibliographically  unique,  which  may  altar  any 
of  the  Mhw^  in  ttie  reproductRHi.  or  which  may 
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Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restauria  et/ou  pellicula 

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Le  titre  de  couverture  manqua 

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Cartes  gtographiques  en  oouleur 


Q  Coloured  ink  jli.e.  other  than  blue  or  blatk)/ 
Encre  de  coulMir  (i.e.  autre  que  Meua  ou  noire) 


'    L'Institut  a  midrofilmi  la  mailleur  f xenfpiaira  qu'il 
Iuia4ttpossiblada^saprocure^  Las  details  da  cet 
axemplaire  qui  sont  peut4tre  uniquM  du  point  de  vue 
btbliographiqua.  qui-pauvant  modifier  une  image 
reproduite.  ou  qui  pfuvent  exiger  una  modification 

'  dans  la  mithoda  normala  de  f  ilmage  sont  indlquis 
ci-dessbus.   ,  ->   ' 

□  Coloured  pages/ 
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along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serrie  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distorsion  le  long  de  la  marge  intirieure 

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within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these  have 
been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouties 
iors  d'une  restauration  apparaissant  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  Atait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  Mi\\\mhn. 


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Title  page  of  issue/ 

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Th«  copy  ftlmad  h«r«  has  bMii  riprqducsd  thanks' 
to  tho  gonorosity  of; 

.  Harold  Campbell  Vmghan  Mamorial  Library 
Acadia  Univartity. 

Tho  imagM  appaaring  haro  ara  tha  baat  quality 
poasibia  conaidaring  tha  eokidition  and  lagibility 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  kaaping  with  tha 
filming  ebntract  tpacificationa. 


Original  copiaa  In  printad  papar  eovars  ara  fiimad 
beginning  with  tha  from  eovar  and  anding  on 
tha  laat  paga  with  f  printad  or  illuatratad  impraa- 
sion.  or  tha  back  covar  «whan  appropriata.  All 
othar  original  copiaa  ara  fiimad  baginning  on  tha 
first  paga  with  a.  printad  or  illuatratad  impraa> 
sion,  and  andlnig  on  tha  laat  paga  with  a  printad 
or  illuatratad  impraaaion.  x.v 


Tha  laat  racordad  frama  on  aach  microficha 
shall  contain  tha  symbol  — ^  (moaning  "CON- 
TINUED^'), or  tha  symbol  y  (moaning  "ENO"), 
whichavfr  appiiaa. 

Maffc.  plataa.  charts,  ate.,  may  ba  fiimad  at 
diffarant  raduction  ratioa.  Thofa  too  larga  to  ba 
antiraiy  includad  in  ona  aiipoaura  ara  fiimad 
baginning  in  tha  uppar  laft  hand  eoimar.  laft  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  aa  many  framaa  aa 
raquirad.  Tha  following  diagrama  piuatrata  tha 
mathod: 


L'axamplaira  film*  fut  raproduit  grtca  i  la 
gAnAroait*  da: 

Hargki  Campbell  Vaughan  Memorial  Library 
Acadia  Uhiveraity. 

Laa  imagaa  suhrantfa  ontAt*  raproduitas  avac  la 
piua  grand  soin.  eompia  tanu  da  la  condition  at 
*-      da  la  nattati  da  raxantplaira  film*,  at  w 

eonformit*  avac  jaa  condltiona  du  conuat  da 
fllmaga. 

■  Laa  axamplairaa  originaux  dont  la  couvartura  •» 
papiar  aat  imprim^a  sont  filmte  an  commarrpant 
par  la  pramiar  plat  at  mn  tandliant  soit  par  la 
damiAra  paga  qui  eomporta  una  ampraima 
dlmpraaaion  ou  dllluatradon.  soit  par  la  sacond 
plat,  salon  la  eaa.  Toua  laa  autraa  •Kamplairas 
originaux  sont  fiim^a  an  commandant  par  la 
pramiAra  paga  qui  eomporta  una  amiirainta 
dlmpraaaion  ou  dllluatration  at  an  tarminant  par 
la  damiAra  paga  q^i  com^rta  una  talla  / 
amprainta. 

Un  daa  symboiaa  suivants  appiraltra  sur  la 
dami^ra  imaga  da  chaqua  microficha.  salon  la 
eaa:  la  symboia  -»  signifia  "A  SUIVRE  ".  la 
^--^^bola  V  signifia  "FIN". 

Laa  eartaa.  pianehaa.  tablaaux.  ate.  pauvant  Atra 
fllmAa  i  daa  taux  da  nMuetion  diff«ronts. 
«    LxMvqua  la  dooumant  aat  trop  grand  pour  itrm 
raproduit  it  un  saui  cliche,  il  aat  film*  A  partir 
da  I'angia  aupMaur  gaucha.  d*  gaucha  h  droita. 
at  da  haut  it  baa.  an  pranant  la  nombra 
dlmagaa  n^caasaira.  Laa  dfagrammas  suivants 
illuatrant  la  mAthbda.  ^ 


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Boys  of  Liberty  Library 

A  new  Mriesof  splendid  tales  of  the  wonderful  and  stining 
adventures  of  boys  who  fought  in  The  Revolutipnaiy  War, 
The  French  and  Indian  Wars,  and  Naval  Battles  of  i8ia. 

The  stories  are  written  in  an  intensely  interesting  style, 
and  no  boy  can  read  them  without  being  aroused  to  iui 
highest  pitch  of  patriotic  enthusiasm.  "       • 

We  give  herewith  a  list  of  titles  now  ready.  Read  the 
first  ahd  you  wiU  want  to  read  all  the  others.  Uniform  with 
this  volume  in  size,  style,  and  price.  Each,  postpaid,  50  cU. 
Paul  'Revere  .   .  .  '. «„  t^„  -.    »* 

TWi„ts,.t for  Libert, . . . ! !  i  .1  ^2:^1::^^ 

^^"Jf^l^Ticonderoga ByJbhnDeM^ 

On  to  Quebec  .........  b-  T«h»  n   w 

FightingH.1 *  •  'S^it^S^JI^'^^ 

•tu^v  a    ». »7  Jonn  De  Morgan.     ^ 

TJe  Young  ^mbMMdor     . By  John  De  M«i^ 

T^YoMngGuajxb^ .  ;  .  .  By  John  De  M«i^ 

S:T::rPIo1.*^.^"^^: ;  •  •  •  -la^^^ 

InBuffandBlue    •  •   •  .  .  i   !  .*  .'  .'  :S;?;^I:;£:g: 

Wajhington'.  Young  Spy  .  . fijT.CaS^ 

Under  Greene',  firmer ByT.cS^b^ 

Captain  of  the  Minute  Men By  HMnie^^Vnr..:^ 

Bfo^S  r^T  V ByLieutL^*^ 

A^^t^'^ By  Lieut  LoZb^.        • 

^g15.^V^ ....;..   .By  Lieut  LouMb^. 

The  Kin^.  Mewenger »y  Ctptife^r^ 

From  Midthipnun  to  Commodore  .  .  .  .By  Frank  Sheridan. 
TheC:rui.eofth,E«,ex    ......;.  .ByFrankSbSd^ 

^■/'  .  ■  ■'    ->•--._ .-  .  . 


\  f£%  '"r  ^.  ^""^'^i.  *■>  ^  -  •>  -ti"  i«  ?  "  -*'i  —   -  >  if   •^4'  ''ift^-i 


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.       "  How  her  heart^beat  and  body  trembled,  for  she  thought  h,  was  dead.' 

(See  page  30) 


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FIGHTING 


.:  / 


OR 


FROM  FORT   NECESSITY  TO 
QUEBEC 


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BY 


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JOHN   Db  morgan  ; 

^,  AUTHOR  or  " 

"Paul  JRevere,"   "The  Young  Ambasaador," 
"The Cruise  of  ihe  Lively  Bee/^ 
,  "On  to  Quebec."  etc. 


; 


.  \, 


PHILADELPHIA 
DAVID    McKAY,    PUBLISHER 
6io  South  Washington-  Square    ^ 


-.  A 


^ 


^ 


■'"■■■> 


Copyright^  Of* 
By  KORMAN  L.  MUKRO 

Fighting  Hal 


V  I' 


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../M--*^-' 


fmrn^y^^:':'!]':- 


PrCHTING  HAL 


O 


•       CHAPTER  L 

TffE  YOUNG  AMBASSADOR. 

''Help!    Mercy r  ' 

The  voije  rang  through  the  stiM.  frosty  ^air  one  ^A 
in^  the  middle  of  that  dread  winter  of  1753. 

"Did  you  hear  that  cry.  Gist?** 
"Yes,  sir." 

"What  does  it  mean?" 
"Some  Indian " 

"Assaulting  a  white  woman?    Let  us  go  to  her  as- 
sistance." 

"It  is  not  wise,  sir." 

'.'Wise?    Man,  is  this  a  time  to  think  of  prudence? 
Blrk  I  I  hear  it  again  I" 

"Mercy  I  r  I  have  nothing  you   want.    Don't   kiU 
me !" 

The  two  men  who  had  listened  to  the  cry  for  he^ 
were  strong,  sturdy  fellows,  both  youn^  and  well  fa- 
J^^^^^t  J^"Sh  on^  saa  af  mr>re  refiacd  aopanmcg- 
than  the  other. 


J. 


^fe^ri#*'-'/'jS  0  ©  2>  S 


v:rv 


■%"'^ 


The  Young  Ambassador) 


They  were  not  Indians,  yet  they  were  dad  in  Indian 
robes. 

The  younger  of  the  two  swept  aside  the  brush  and 
forced  a  way  through  the  thick  undergrowth  of  the 
fewest 

With  nothing  but  the  voice  appealing  for  mercy  to 
.   guide  him.  he,  with  unerring  instinct,  reached  the  place, 
and  found,  not  a  woman,  but  a  boy  tied  to  a  tree,  while 
facmg  him  was^a  ferocious-looking  savage,  Wtoma- , 
nawk  m  his  hand. 

The  boy  was  afraid,  and  yet  there  was  a  courageous 
gleam  m  his  eyes;  but  he  was  helpless.  \ 

"Unloose  me,  and  I  wiU  meetthee  as  man  to  ilian  " 
cried  the  boy,  defiantly,  just  as  the  two  burst  throurii 
the  thicket  and  saw  the  position  of  affaira. 

The  boy  dropped  his  head  on  his  breast  and  relin- 
quished all  hope,  for  he  thought  two  more  Indians  had 
come  to  aid  his  enemy. 

"What  wouldst  thou  have  with  this  boyr  asked  one 
of  Uie  men,  speaking  not, in  the  broken  ^gUsh  of  the    ^ 
Indians,  or  with  the  accent  of  the  French. 

Instead  of  replying,  the  savage  slunk  away,  for  he 
saw  he  had  two  determined  men  to  fate,  and  even  the 
bravest  would  hesitate  to  face  such  odds  when  he  knew, 
his  cause  was  a  bad  one. 

The  boy  was  released,  and  he  tried  to  express  hit 
^flianks  for  his  liberation. 


+ 


Sil^tt-iLt'* «  'A'lJ  t\  liif^'s*! 


<? 


The  Young  "Ambassador. 


But  the  tears  filled  his  eyes  and  he  was  unable  to- 
utter  his  thoughts  for  some  minutes. 

"Do  you  live  near  here?"  asked  the  man  who  had 
been  addressed  as  Gist. 

"Yes,  in  a  clearing  across  the  forest.'* 

"Could  you  give  us  food  and  shelter?    Wt  can  oav 
for  both."  _  .  F-/ 

"My  grandfather  would  be  pleased  to  do  so,  but  he 
would  not  take  your  money,  good  sirs." 

"Leadthe  way,  myboy.    Stay,  by  what  name  may 
you  be  known  ?" 

"I  am  Harry  Leonard,"  answered  the  boy,  "and  my 
grandfather  is  Thomas  Granger." 
"English?" 

"My  grandfather  was  bom  in  England;  my  father 
was  a  Virginian,  and  my  mother  was  from  New  Enc^ 
land."  *-*« 

"You  have  answered  welf.  It  is  but  right  that  we 
should  be  known  to  yofi,  though  it  is  on  your  honor 
we  rely." 

"You  may  trust  me.  But  if  it  be  best^  that  you 
should  remain  unknown,  you  will  be  still  welcome." 

"You  speak  well  for  a  youth.  How  old  are  you. 
Harry?"  '  ^ 

"Fourteen,  sir."  T 

"^  ^^^'^^^  thought  you  younger  by  your  ap- 
_peafancf^  older  by  your  matmef^  Let  me  mtrodaeg--^ 


ourselves  ;liy  friend  here  is  Christopher  Gist- 


t» 


'A 

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s 


The  Young  Ambassador. 


"Not  the  scout  r 

"Yes ;  hast  thou  heard  of  him  ?" 

'•Who  has  not  ?"  ask?d  the  boy,  his  face  beaming  with 
pride. 

"And  I  am  George  Washington,  with  no  fame  to 
welcome  the  mention  of  my  name." 

"George  Washington,"  repeated  the  boy,  slowly. 

"Yes,  of  Virginia;  surveyor  by  profession,  but  just 
now  an  imitator  ^f  the  Indians." 

"I  shall  never  forget  that  name,"  said  the  boy,  again 
speaking  slowly. 

A  log  house,  rude  but  substantial,  was  now  dis- 
cerned, and  Washington  rightly  surmised  it  was  the 
residence  of  the  boy  and  his  grandfather. 

The  old  man,  with  hair  white  as  drifted  snow,  and 
so  long  that  it  formed  a  cape  over  his  shoulders,  stood 
in  the  doorway,  a  heavy  musket  in  his  hand. 

He  raised  it  to  his  shoulder  when  he  saw  the  men 
garbed  as  Indians,  but  lowered  it  on  a  signal  from 
Harry. 

"Gran'ther,  these  be  brave  men  who  seek  thy  hos- 
pitality.  They  did  save  thy  Harry's  life,  which  was 
threatened  by  Red  Wolf,  the  savage." 

"Hast  seen  him  ?"  asked  the  old  man, 
"I  was  tied  to  the  tree,  and  Red  Wolf  did  say  thai 
^sttlp  should  hang  at  his  belt  unless  I  gave  him  all 


the  powder  an<J  &ewater  we  BT  In  our  houscT* 


■,«a:i 


'     "4.      ^ 


The  Young  Amb^usador. 


"He  W)uld  have  hail  to  answer  to  me/'  spok^  up  the- 
old  man,  W^h  a  brave,  determined  voice  and  manner. 
'      George  Washington  laid  his  hand  on  the  old  man's 
shoulder.  \  , ,  /' 

"We  have,  perh^s,  saved  thy  kin ;  wilt  thou  find  us 
food  and  a  night's  shelter?"  /^ 

"Welcome,  whoever  ti^ou  mayst  be." 

"I  am  George  Washin^n,  of  Vir^a;  and  this  is 
Christopher  Gist,  the  scout.\ 

"Doubly  welcome,  then;  aiid  if  thy  disguise  is  for 
the  purpose  of  finding  a  way  tp  rid  the  Ohio  Valley  of 
both  French  and  savages,  all  I  have  is  thine." 

"Hush,  gran'ther.  Your  tongue  may  hurt  our 
aiuse,"  whispered  Harry. 

"Thou  are  right,  boy.  Tell^thy  grandmother  that 
honored  guests  abide  with  us  this  night." 

little  did  Grandfather  Granger  know  that  he  was 
entertaining  a  man  who,  a  few  years  later,  would  be 
foremost  in  all  the  world,  the  creator  of  a  natkm,  the 
savior  of  his  people.  . 

Yet  such  was  the  cas<.  ^Washington,  disguised  as 
an  Indian,  had  traversed  the  desolate  wilderness,  strug- 
gling through  in^rminable  snows ;  sleeping  with  frozen 
clothes  on  a  bed  of  pine  bninches;  breaking  through 
the  treacherous  ice  of  the  rapid  streams  j  guided  by  day 
by  a  pocket  compass  and  by  night  by  the  polar  star, 

the  leafless  treesr 


He  had  been  fired  at  by  prow]ing_ savages;  attacked 


r'  q 

M 


m- 


H^'M/tM^tO-i .  (,»  ■^<^  V&i'i  HAix  % 


loX  The  Young  Ambassador. 

.„ .._  .V — r-~~ ■ 


by  the  fierce  animals  of  the  forest,  thrown  from  a  raft 
into  the  waters  of  the  Alleghany;  sought  safety  on  an 
island,  where  he  lived  on  leaves  and  nuts  and  bark 
until  the  river  was  again  frozen  over,  enabling  him  to 
reach  the  forest  and  face  the  hungry  wolves  and  treach- 
erous,  Indians,  until  he  found  Gist's  Settlement,  and 
^as  being  guided  back  to  the  Potomac  and  the  capital 
of  his  colony.  p 

Washington  had  been  sent  as  an  ambassador  from 
Gov.  Dinwiddie  to  Gen.  St.  Pierre,  the  commander  of 
tte  French  forces  in  the  Wist,  who  was  stationed  at 
Prcsque  Isle,  on  the  shore  of  Lake  Erie. 

He  had  nearly  completed  his  return 'journey  when 
he  sought  the  hospitality  of  Grandfather  Granger  and 
tiirough  all  that  long  time  of  hardship  and  dang^  he 
had  not  received  a  scratch  or  a  bruise. 

"Tell  thy  master.  Gov.  Dinwiddie,  that  the  land  is 
«ine,"  said  St  Pierre,  "and  that  I  wiU  drive  out  every 
Englishman  from  the  valley  of  the  Ohio." 

"Take  care,  general,  for  you  have  to  face  the  col- 
onists as  well  as  the  veterans  of  England."  answered 
the  young  ambassador. 

The  courteous  French  officer  forgot  his  good  man- 
ners; he  laughed  so  uproariously  that  his  aides  feared 
he  might  injure  himself. 

"The  colonists!    Ha!  ha  I  ha  I    A  pack  of  hungry 
boors  who  can  neither  fight  nor  build  a  fort!    I  fear 
JoralLth)^  boors,  nor  the  veterans  t>f  Engird,  either— 


^<,.fil,.i,-i'n'Aif','£^'ii''lT  'i  ivi!.''fe-'  ■"!.(■'. 


J>jk  Viti 


,'v5i:'l^f-."^!j'-v.«.  .~;,_>"j. 


■■"  >>;7i* 


'f 


The  First  Shot. 


fi 


Go,  tell  Dinwiddie  what  I  say.    Tell  him  I  am  ready 
to  meet  his  forces,  and  thy  colonists,  too.    Ha !  ha  I  h?i  1" 
Such  was  the  message  George  Washington  was  bear- 
ing back  to  the  governor  of  his  colony. 


■         .  ■  •  Q  •  / 

CHAPTER  II.  / 

THE    piTlST   SHOT.  / 

Gen:  St.  Pierre  was  a  man  of  his  word,  and  as  soon 
as  the  river  was  open,  by  the  breaking  of  the  ice  gorges 
in  the  Alleghany,  he  senfdown  a  large  fleet-o|  boats 
and  cleared  the  valley  of  the  English  as  far  as  what  is 
now  knowq  as  Pittsburg. 

Here  he  felled  the  trees  and  laid  the  foundations  of 
Fort  du  Qqesne.    ^  ^  j 

Washington  had  been  commissioned  as  lieutenant- 
colonel,  with  brief  but  comprehensive  orders. 

He  was  to  construct  a  fort  at  the  source  of  the  Ohio; 
to  destroy  whoever  opposed  him  in  thie  :girork;  to  cap- 
ture, kill  or  repel  all  who  interrupted  him  and  the 
progress  of  the  English  settlements  in  that  country. 

The  young  Virginian  called  his  men  together  and 
read  his  commission, 

"Men,  we  are  about  to  face  death.    I  have  no  hope 


that  any  oFus  will  return  alive,  but  w^^aU  die  doing 


tkW'.  r-  •j*J'SgR/.V. 


/  t. 


i^iX,\K':,. 


■-  '(^?^,''^  'f?s®-?*'  ''''-?:;r>i*  "'■ 


la 


The  First  Shofc 


1,^ 


our  duty,  and  our  consciences  will  be  clear ;  are  you  aU 
willing  to  follow  me  r 

There  was  ^  magnetism  about  the  Virginian  which 
was  irresistible. 

Unanimously  the  answer  was  in  the  affirmative. 

Washington  was  ready  for  the  march  when  Tan- 
adiarissou,  the  chief  of  the  confederacy  of  the  Dela- 
iwares,  Shawnees,  Miamis  and  Mingoes,  entered  his 
room. 

"Our  lives  are 'in  danger,"  said  the  chief,  who  was 
called  the  Half  Kmg;  "our  trust  is  in  you.  The  French 
inll  slay  u»and  take  our  hmds ;  we  I^ave  sworn  to  fight 
them  to  the  death." 

^'We  ^U  save  you  or  die  with  you,"  answered  Wash- 
ington.  .  / 

"Do  not  dday./ 
/      The  Half  Kit^  was  irritated  at  the  slowness  of  the 
soldiers,  and  left  them  to  return  to  his  own  people. 

The  Virginians,  having  no  horses,  had  to  drag  their 
cannon  by  hand.  ^ 

The  roads  were  miserable.  ^ 

No  bridgelijiiknned  the  rivers  and  no  boats^  could  be 
obtained. 

Before  the  march  from  Will's  Creek  was  half  fin- 
ished, the  men  were  reduced,  to  half  rations,  and  to 
make  their  fate  more  wretched  the  rain  feU  in  unceas- 
ing torrents. 

_^  For  ten  <bys^  it  ivned^  and  ttefn^all  tharrfime — 


'f 


^.■/•' 


'.Ji  ^ 


1  ..•>• 


-.T.,;^.,:-, 


The  First  Shot. 


»3 


f- 


Washington  and  his  little  army  were  without  shelter  or 
diange  of  clothes. 

The  scouts  of  the  Half  King  announced  that  a  party 
of  the  French  was  within  a  few  miles. 

A  stockade  was  speedily  erected,  to  which  Washing- 
ton gave,  the  name  of  Fort  Necessity. 

'To-morrow  we  will  attack  them/«i'Said"the  young 
leader,  "and  there  must  be  no  hesitation.^ 

Cautiously  the  English  and  the  Virginians  moved 
forward. 

The  French  saw  them  and  flew  to  arms. 

Washington  was  at  the  head  of  his  army,  musket  m 
hand. 

"Firer 

The  dear  command  rang  through  the  forest,  and  the 
first  vbpy  of  a  great  war  went  flying  on  its  mission  of 
death.  ^^  _     -   .    . 

,  The  engagement  was  a  fierce  one. 

The  French  were  veterans  who  had  seen  service  in 
Europe.    Washington's  men  were  mostly  raw  recruits. 

But  both  sides  fought  with  almost  savage  despera- 
tion. .    - 

"Fire,  ^st  and  sure!"  shouted  Washington^  who 
loaded  and  fired  as  frequently  as  his  men. 

Jtononvtlle,  the  French  captain,  was  seen  to  throw 
up  his  hands  and  fait  forward  m  his  face.  < 

His  ^a^gended  the  engagement,  and^Washington 
won  the  fi^Kkirmish  in  tMl^ereat  war. 


.^'^^^^^^^^^^^^'^^  I.'.  j;,-    tf^^te  ^^ 


1-  t  -*■—     --^  ' 


•'i^^-:^^— ^' 


M 


TKc  First  Shot. 


\ 


■'s 


Dc  Villiers,  the  French  general,  saw  well  wfaat  the 
■'    *^5«^^  would  be,  and  hastened  his  army  forward  to  drive 
Washujgton  from  his  position. 
.     Several  tribes  of  Indians  united  with  the  Frepch 
and  proved  most  valuable  allies.  I     * 

Fort  Necessity  was  attacked  by  six  hundred  French 
soldiers,  and  nea'rly  as  many  Indians,  while  Washing- 
ton  s  entire  forces  were  less  than  four  hundred.^ 

For  nine  hours  the  French  pqnred  an  ^in«9»sant 
shower  of  balls  into,the  fort. 

thirty  of  the  defenders  were  killed,  but  the  fire  was 
returned  with  unabated  vigor. 

De  Vniiers  found  his  ammunition  nearly  exhausted, 
and  proposed  a  pariey. 

Washington,  seeing  he  could  hold  out  but  a  few  miiK 
irtes  longer,  accepted  the  honorable  terms  of  capitula- 
tiai,  and  with  all  accouten?,ents  the  EngUsh  garrison 
left  the  fort  and  withdrew  from  the  country. 

De  Villiers,  in  reporting  his  success  to  St  Rerr«. 
paid  a  high  tr^but^  to  Washington. 

"Iliis  young  crfficer,  who  cannot  be  more  than  twen- 
ty-two  years  of  age,  led  his  men  with  all  the  cour^ 
and  tact  pf  a  veteran,  and,  had  he  but  Known  it,  the 

victory  would  have  been  his,  for  we  had  but  fliree  more 
rounds  of  ammunition  left,  and  were  even  then  pUpar-  ' 
ing  to  consider  temft  for  surrender."  \  ^ 

In  the  ranks  of  the  Indian  allies  <rf  the  French  there 
was  one  man  disappointed. 


v_^ 


M. 


-r^. 


rj?  ^^i?,^"* 


e  Attadc  on   the  Log  House.         15 

RedVWolf,  almost  on  his  knees,  begged  for  permis- 
sion to  \  scalp  Washington. 

"He  will  be  a  danger  as  long  as  heiives,"  s§id  the 
savage.  \ 

De  Villiers,  however,  would  nwc  listen  to  the  sugges- 
tion, and,  as  we  have  seen,  allowed  IfTashington  to  leave 
with  all  th^onors  of  war.  ^ 

The  French  remained  in  undisturbed  possession  of 
the  Ohio  Valley.  s. 


CHAPTER  in. 


\ 


j  THE  ATTACK  ON  THE  LOG  HOUSE. 

"CTran-th^.  I  saw  a  t^d  of  Indians  in  the  for»t." 

said  Harry  Leonard,  abotit  six  months  after  the  capitu- 

lati^  of  Fort  Necess!^.  ^ 

Harry  was  out  (^f  breath;  he  had  been  rurminpr^^ 

*rhe  Indians  were  the  allies  of  the  French,  an|^d 

left  a  trail  of  blood  wherever  they  had  gone. 

"Barricade  the   door,   boy/*  ordered   Grandfather 
Granger. 

The  boy  had  done  it  so  often  that  it  was  easy  work. 
,  Everything  was  in  rea(fines8  to  be  placed  agadnst  the 
door.||^    .■ 

TS  were  ciwed  by  meaos  of  heavy  orif- 


Vfiv'',;M#'4*^'»^    y      ■■*' 


^W*. 


J.-^'* 

.1%*-; 


^t 


Jl«  log  hooM  WM  only  one  «or»  la  hdM« 

"Boy,  you  arc  right" 

"Yes,  gran'tljcr."  ♦  : 

*^t  is  a  fight  this  time.    Wh«*  i.  \ 

mother  rjj  ^""*  w  your  grana- * 

J^o;wecandietoeethPr  f,^       •. 
these  fifty  yeiu.3..   ^^""^  ^^  ^*  '^^  ^ved  together 

"So  long?    It  .eems  toad,  afeMter-^,r  r       .. 
J>«en  50  happy.r  '»«^rier--our  hves  hav« 

^JThe  old  lady  mounted 

Six  muskets,  two  old  sabar^d.n  A  \ 

onergency^ '  H««aonii,  ready  for  any 

;:R«^Wo1£  leads/' the  oW 
,,^we  are  doomed,"  responded  the  old  lady 
myouf  guns  ready,  but  do  not  Breunmi^'  .u 
iWord.    Aim  well  anH  *i«    ^  "«*"  I  give  the 

'^««  well,  and  do  not  waste  powder." 


*-i,*f-.^-*.^.  '  '  r  Ai  1  <-^ 


^u^  ^     tt^j. 


&' 


..  -  --<^'^ 


The  Attack^  on   the  Log  House.         17 

^ — — ■ — 

Three  muskets  were  primed,  and  their  muzzles 
pushed  an  inch  or  so  trough  the  crevice. 

The  old  grandmother  showed  no  signs  of  fear.  She 
had  lived  in  the  wilderness  so  many  years  that  her 
feminine  nature  had  become  hardened,  and'^she"  was 
able  to  face  Indians  or  wolves  without  a  tremor. - 

Red^^Wolf  marshaled  his  men,  and  anticipated  an 
easy  victory  over  the  white  occupants  of  the  log  house. 

There  was  no  need  of  secrecy,  for  what  could  three 
persons,  one  of  whom  was  a  feeble  old  woman,  and 
another  a  boy,  dp  against  twenty-five  hraves? 

The  Indians  were  within  a  few  'yards  of  the  log 
house  when  old  mim  Granger  whispered  to  his  wife 
and  gf^dson  to  be  ready.  ' 

Aloud  he  called  to  Red  Wolf :  ; 

"Red  Wolf,  braVeo^^eB^rkfeiBt,  what  means  this 
hostile  appearance/?"  he  asked.  ^\  ^    -.• 

"The  white  man  must  leave  th^  valley  and  go  back 
to  the  East,  from  whence  he  came,"  answered  the 
Indian,  spcaking^ery  fair  English. 

"Red  Wolf,  brave  of  the  Blackfeet,  when  thou  wast 
hungry  did  we  not  give  thee  food?    When  the  teetii  of  , 
the  wild  wolf  iore  the  flesh  of  Red  Wolf ,  dj^  we  not 
rescue  thee  nihd  bind  up  thy  wounds  ?"        :  '  \    ' 


W 


*m 


"Enough,  old  man.    Thy  life  slialt  be  spared  iJhhoiT 
and  thine  quit  Jhe  house  and  cross  the  fore^  to  the 

N        T^^ 

v 

*1 

'^5 


-f« 


It        The  Attack  on  the  Log  House. 


"Never,  Red  Wolfl    The  house  is  mine;  it  was 
bmlt  by  my  hands,  and  the  land  is  mine,  also." 

"Then,  if  that  be  thy  answer.  Red  Wolf  will  take 
that  which  thou  refused  to  give." 

The  Indian,  who  was  the  only  (Sne  of  the  band  able 
to  hold  conversation  in  English,)  addressed  his  men 
and  It  was  plainly  evident  that  he  Was  resolved  on  cap-' 
taring  the  log  house.  ' 

"Fire  r  whispered  Granger.       I 

Three  musket  shots  left  the  barrels  concealed  in  the 
Tooi  of  the  log  house,  and  three  I^idians  drc^ped  to  the 
ground.  / 

Qmckly  laying  down  the  muskets  they  raised  the 
others,  and  again  fired,  with  the  same  result. 
'  It  took  longer  to  load  a  musket  in  those  days  than 
we  can  possibly  imagine. 

The  charge  had  to  be  rammed  home  to  the  barrel-^  " 
Ae  powder  first,  and  then  the  shot    The  flint  had  to 
be  wiped  oflF,  and  powder  placed  in  the  pan,  so  that  a 
spark  might  drop  on  it  and  fire  the  charge.     " 

The  Indians,  maddened  by  the  death  of  six  of  their 
number,  rushed  forward  and  threw  themselvia  against 
the  door. 

The  heavy  timber  of  which  it  was  made  withstood 
Ae  onslaught?  though  the  barricading  bars  creaked  and 
cracked. 


^Again  Ihose  sai^ges  threw  their  boditt  against  it 


fcr 


The  Attack  on  the  Log  House.         i6 


with  5uch  force  that  many  shoulders  were  bruised,  and 
great  splotches  of  blood  were  on  the  timbers. 

The  savages  withdrew  a  few  yards,  but  only  to  ex- 
pose themselves  to  another  volley  from  the  log  house. 

Two  of  the  Indians  were  killed,  and  a  third  wounded 
in  the  shoulder. 

The  others  again  rushed  to  the  house,  and  m&de 
another  assault  on  its  strong  timbers. 

All  their  efforts*  were  in  vain. 

Red  Wolf  took  his  men  to  the  rear,  and  after  iii  in- 
spection of  the  house  from  that  quarter,  saw  that  some- 
thing mdre  than  the  united  strength  of  the  Indians  ^as 
necessary. 

A  quantity  of  dried  leaves  were  piled  high  at  the 
rear  of  the  house. 

These  were  brought  by  armf uls  and  placed  against 
the  house,  and  fired.  ' 

The  dry  timbers,  strong  against  human  power,  wer« 
but  as  twigs  before  the  might  of  the  fire  king. 

They  burned  and  crackled,  the  smoke  filling  the 
house  and  rendering  the  defenders  almost  poweriess.    . 

"We  shall  be  roasted,"  said  the  old  man. 

"What  can  we  do,  gran'ther?" 

"Fight  our  way  through  and  seek  shelter  with  the 
wolves  in  the  forest" 

''Are  we  ready  ?"aikedHarry^ 


«i 


"Are  you  ready,  mother  i>"  Granger  inquired. 


S5f 


e-r-V--?  *•  ■■■■"  ■ 


1,.' 


¥<^' 

t 

\ 

f 

f 

J%kii£A&i^k 

ao 


The.Attadc  on  the  Log  House. 


"father,  I  am  ready,  only  don't  let  me  fall  into  the 
hands  of  the  savages;  kill  me  first.    Will  you?" 

"Ay,  motheji  we  will  die  together,"  bravely  spoke 
the  old  man.  i 

•   The  muskets  were  too  heavy  to  use  as  clubs,  so 
Granger  and  his  wife  took  swords,  leaving  Hai^to  do 
.     the  best  he  could  with  a  musket.  ^  ^v^ 

The  boy  filled  his  pocket  with  ammuniW,'in  addi- 
tion to  his  powd^i'  horn  and  shot  pouch. 

They  descendted  the  ladder  and  quietly  unfastened 
the  door.  . 

The  savages  were  still  at  the  rear. 

"Run,"  whispered  Granger. 

A  score  of  yards  space  had  been  covered  before  they 
,      were  seen  by  Red  Wolf. 

1         A  savage  cry  burst  from  his  throat,  and  his  men 
\     fired  a  volley  of  arrows  after  the  fugitives. 
1        Fortunately  they  fell  wide  of  the  mark.  "" 

I        The  savages  ran,  and  were  close  upon  the  whites. 
*       "We  cannot  escape ;  we  must  fight,"  said  Granger. 

He  turned  as  he  spoke,  his  white  hair  flowing  oVer 
his  neck  and  shoulders  like  a  fleecy  >doud  of  snow. 

He  r^ed  his  saber,  and  stood  defiantly  waiting. 
"^     The  Indians  hesitated. 

There  was  a  majesty  about  that  aged,  white-haired 
couple  which  struck  them  with  awe. 

For  a  moment  it  looked  as  though  honor  and  age 
r  iW5uld  tiiiimpK  ~ 


fefukfi  .,!.. 


.^.-±>- : 


,f,(..'ij      t  •* 


ym 


liis  men 

^ 

■ 

lites. 

inger. 

ng  over 

w. 

ing. 

i 

shaired 

] 

nd  age 

• 

The  Attack  on  the  Log  House.        ai 


But  only  for  a  moment ;  the  Indians  gave  a  saVage 
yell  and  rushed  fipon  the  settlers. 

The  fight  was  of  short  duration. 

Although  Granger  and  his  wife  were  strong  in  spirit, 
their  arms  were  weakened  by  age,  and  they  were  smit- 
ten to  the  eai^.\ 

Harry  seized  we  saber  as  it  fell  from  his  grand- 
mother's hsmd. . 

He  strudt  out  furious  blows,  and  many  a  time  the 
blade  was  red  with  thel)lood  of  a  naked  savage. 

The  Indians  closed  in  upon  him  and  rendered  him 
helpless.  '  ^ 

He  was  bound  hand  and  foot. 

A  gag  was  placed  in  his  mouth,  for  Red  Wolf  could 
not  endure  the  upbraidings  which  came  from  his  lips. 

As  the  lad  lay  there,  speechless  and  helpless.  Red 
Wolf  kicked  him  in  the  ribs. 

'•You  shall  live.  I  want  you  to  see  how  we  treat 
those  we  capture,  and,  as  they  die,  you  shall  know  your 
own  fate  will  be  more  terrible." 

The  fiend  in  human  f^rm  gave  orders  to  his  men  to 
carry  the  aged  settlers  to  the  puming  house. 

"We  are  going  to  die,  ihy  boy,  but  we  are  not  afraid,** 
Granger  said,  as  he  passed  where  Harry  was  lying. 

The  boy  struggled  to  release  himself,  but  failed;  the 
tigatures  only  cut  into  his  fleahi 


/ 


^     He  saw,  for  there  was  no  help  for  it,  his  grand- 


--r%- 


,,»4te^'i4v.':-v'.,.,,.j',,<ii..  i  -  t,^>  ¥ 


.M 


.22 


Eseape. 


parents  scalped,  and  their  bodies  thrown  into  the  blaz- 
ing log  house. 

One  cry  from  his  grandmother  for  Heaven's  mercy, 
and  a  silence  gathered  over  all,  broken  only  by  the 
crackling  of  the  burning  timbers  and  the  roar  of  the 
flames. 

The  savages  danced  in  fiendish  glee  round  the  pyre, 
and  as  the  sun  went  down  a  pillar  of  smoke  showed 
only  wh^re  the  \f>g  house  had  stood— that  log  house 
which  had  been  open  to  Indiati  and  French  and  Eng- 
lish alike  for  so  many  years. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


ESCAPE. 

The  night  was  dark  and  cold,  but  Harry  Leonard's 
blood  was  at  fever  heat,  and  his  mouth  was  parched 
with  the  inward  burning. 

Red  Wolf  had  kicked  him  several  times,  and  told 
him  of  the  fate  whiclrawaited  him  on  the  morrow. 

The  savages  threw  themselves  on  the  ground  to 
sleep,  and  their  leader,  well  satisfied  with  the  work  of 
the  day,  followed  their  example,  after  assuring  himself 
that  Harry  was  well  secured. 
-The  boy  couki  not  sleep.^ 


The  horrible  scenes  he  had  witnessed,  the  dea^  of 


'h£  .a 


J  k^  K.*  c  ^.f- 


1 


"'  t 


'"# 


Escape. 


43 


the  grandparenlts  who  had  reared  him  from  infancy,  all 
passed  before  his  mind  with  terrible  realism. 

Accustomed  to  all  the  arts  of  the  scout,  his  ears  were 
quick  to  detect  the  slightest  sound. 

At  times  he  hoped  to  hear*  the  prowl  of  a  hungry 
wolf,  preferring  the  animal  to  the  huihan  savage ;  then, 
as  the  sound  passed,  his  love  of  life  predominated,  and 
he  prayed  to  live  that  he  might  revenge  himself  on  Red 
Wolf.         /* 

The  hours  passed,  and  the  clouds  seemed  blacker 
than  ever,  while  the  cold  wind  whistled  through  the 
»  trees,  and  the  breath  froze  as  it  left  the  lips. 

A  shiver  passed  over  Harry's  body,  and  ^e  thought 
entered  his  mind : 

"It  was  just  such  a  night  as  this  a  year  ago  that  I 
was  saved  from  Red  Wolf.  What  a  brave  man  that 
Virginian  was  I  I  wonder  if  I  shall  ever  see  him 
agam?  George  Washington  I'll  never  forget  his 
name.  Gran'ther  said  he  was  fighting  the  French.  I 
hope  he  is,  for  none  could  conquer  him." 

The  boy's  thoughts  were  with  the  Virginian,  and  he 
forgot  his  own  troubles  and  threatened  torture. 

His  sharp  ears  detected  a  new  movement. 

Only  an  Indian  could  glide  along  so  softly  and 
quietly. 

Harry  felt  his  last  hour  hzd  come. 

He  was  sune  one  o^Jggj  Wolf  s  gang  was  tempted  to 
steal  his  sdalp.  ^ 


^  •■J 


i^*f:'im»^^^^0Mi. 


^i-^-w  - 


24 


Escape. 


Harry  nerved  himself  to  his  fate. 

The  hot  breath  of  a  man  was  on  his  face. 
^  Every  moment  he  expected  to  feel  the  sharp  steel  of 
the  tomahawk.  ^ 

.   .    He  scarcely  dared  to  breathe.  * 

A  delightful  sensation  was  experience.    ^ 

The  Indian  was  bathing  his  fac0  with  cool,  clear 
,  water. 

"White  man  good  to  red  man,  red  man  help  white 
man,    whispered  the  unknown. 

■     Harry  turned  ov6r,  andto  his  joy  found  the  cords 
cut,  and  he  was  free. 

"White  rtan  ruh— run-rrun— " 
The  hint  was  enough. 

The  tove  of  Mfe  was  strong;  and  the  boy  felt  it  was 
worth  trying  t(6  preserve. 

He  glided  along  thrbugh  the  brushwood  as  noise- 
lessly  as  possible,  and  not  until  he  had  passed  out  of 
possible  sight  of  the  Indians  did  he  <Jare  stand  up. 

The  sufferings  through  which  he  had  passed,  and  the 

tcmble  strain  on  his  physical  frame  had  exhausted  him. 

H^  staggered  as  though  he  were  drunk. 

Once  he  nearly  fell,  but  mind  often  triumphs  over 

matter,  and  he  braced  himself  with  firm  resolve  that 

he  would  nev^  allow  himself  to  be  taken  aliye.    . 

He  ran,  not  knowing  which  way  he  was  going,  un- 
gggctousnf  „gverything  save  ^le  thot^ht  that  hiTlife  ^ 


^ii*^f1  <Ji-j(Mfaii  ^jift-*  «  'v»-.*»  '^Ct.^ 


l 


'■f- 


Esca^» 


25 


and  freedom  depended  on  his  plkcing  a  considerable 
distance  between  himself  and  the  enemy. 

All  thought  of  weariness  had  left  him. 

His  joints  seemed  more  supple  than  ever,  his  limbs 
moved  with  all  the  precision  of  a  machine  and  with  as 
little  sense  of  weariness. 

Once  he  paused  to  drink  from  a  tiny,  bubling  spring, 
but  the  phantasm  of  the  murder  of  those  he  had  loved 
rose  before  his  mind  as  though  they  had  been  reflected 
Jn  the  water. 

Morning  dawned,  and  he  found  himself  on  the  batiks 
of  a  river  whose  surface  was  covered  with  ice. 

Then  for  the  first  time  he  rested. 

He  sat  down,  looking  at  the  prismatic  effects  caused 
by  the  rising  sun's  rays  on  the  ice-covered  river. 

It  was  al  sight  long  to  be  remembered. 

But  what  had  he  to  do  with  the  beautiful 

All  nature  is  beautiful,  but  human  savages  had 
marred  its  loveliness. 

Instead  of  crossing  the  river,  he  walked  slowly  along 
its  banks. 

The  reaction  was  setting  in,  nature  was  beginning  to 
assert  itself,  and  he  became  so  tired  that  he  Could 
scarcely  mor'e  one  foot  before  the  other. 

V 

A  wild  whoop  was  borne  to  his  ears. 

He  was  being  pursued.  *^ 


-4' 


All  his  weariness  was  gone. 


,-:^.i„i»,^^'„S,(JSJ!iJjjJj 


•»t« 


36 


Escape. 


, 


He  leaped  down  the  river  bank,  and^stood  finnly  on 
the  fce,  balancing  himself  for  the  next  move. 

A  crushing,  creaking  sound  was  heard. 

He  knew  too  well  what  it  was. 

The  ice  had  been  recently  broken  by  some  passing 
boats,  and  the  blocks  had  only  been  reunited  by  the 
night's  severe  frost 

All  across  the  river  he  could  see  the  cracks,  and 
knew  that  he  had  a  new  danger  to  face. 

He  stepped  forward,  and  the  ice  almost  slipped  from 
tinder  his  feet  ' 

He  sprang  a  block  beyond,  and  ha^  to  go  on  his 
hands  and  knees  to  prevent  his  fallii^  into  the  river. 

He  heard  the  shouts  of  the  savages,  and  knew  that 
they  were  near  the  bank. 

A  moment  more  and  he  would  be  seen. 

A  few  minutes  and  his  escape  would  be  preven^^ 
and  maybe  his  body  would  be  buried  beneath  the  ice 
floe  to  feed  the  fishes. 

Straightening  himself,  he  made  another  jump,  and 
was  more  fortunate,  for  he  was  able  to  stand  ia  the 
block. 

A  third  leap  and  the  ice  parted  between  his  feet, 
causing  him  to  fall  into  the  water. 

He  could  swim  like  a  fish,  and  dive  as  well  as  anyone 
but  with  the  floating  ice  above  him  he  dare  not  do  any- 
thing  bur  tty  to  climb  on  one  of  the  takti,      : 


.•sfH  c  V-i.- 


A^    ..'.  *i.i 


^iMA^mt'Ciki^k^^/ki 


-m 


In  the  Hands  of  the  Enemy.  27 


Agaip  he  succeeded  in  getting  on  his  feet,  and  saw 
the  Indians  turning  their  backs  on  the  river. 

They  had  thpught  him  drowned  when  he  fell  into  the 
water,  and  had  given  up  the  pursuit. 

There  was  honor  and  glory  in  taking  the  scalp  f  rcmi 
a  living  boy,  but  an  Indian  would  scorn  to  rob  a  dead 
man  of  his  scalp.  ^ 

Harry  leaped  from  ice  block  to  ice  blodc,  until, he 
was  dose  to  the  bank.  /> 

An  overhanging  tree  was  within  reach,  and  seizing 
its  drooping  branches  he  swung  himself  to  land. 

But  nature  will  have  its  way,  even  over  the  strength 
of  mind. 

Harry  Leonard  fell  almost  lifeless  on  the  grouft^T 

He  was  as  unconscious  as  one  that  was  dead. 

Not  a  sign  of  life,  save  the  most  feeble  respiration, 
was  apparent,  and  no  one  but  the  keenest  observer 
would  have  thought  him  living. 


■.4«ill 


CHAPTER  V. 

IN  THE  HANDS  OF  THE  ENEMY. 

The  hours  passed,  and  still  young  Leonard  lay  on 
Jthc  banka  ol  the  liver^  withoi^^^^s^^  of  returning 


file. 


•i.~ 


i.%    A 


■  Sji 


/S^t^^^ftn^t&y'f  ,-v 


'% 


:^ 


rK 


H. 


48  In  the  Hands  of  the  Enemy. 


Nature  was  having  ^ts  revenge.  > 

His  mind  had  subdued  his  physfcal  powers  for  many 
hours,  but  now  the  tables  were  turned. 

How  easy  it  would  have  been  for  Red^elf  to  have 
recaptured  him !  »  .  ^ 

How  little  would  have  been  the  dartg^mo  any  wan- 
dering savage  wljo  wished  to  add  to  thejscalps  at  his 

belt! 

But  Red  Wolf  thought  him  dead,  and  no  prowler 
passed  that  way,  though  during  those  houi^  many  a 
one  was  within  a  stone's  %9W,  and  more  than  one 
would  have  danced  with  jay^l  he  could  hav^  secured 

that  youthful  scalp. 

"There  is  a  divinity  which  shapes  our  ends,  rough 

hew  them  as  we  will." 

Harry  Leonard  was  reserved  for  other  "work ;  his 
life  was  destined  to  be  prolonged,  that  it  might  be  of^ 
benefit  to  his  native  land. 

It  was  close  upon  eventide  when  the  Angelus  Domini 
was  said  by  the  devout,  that  a  maiden,  fair  and  young, 
passed  along  the  river  side. 

She  had  walked  all  day  as' became  the  daughter  of  a 
new  country,  and  was  rewarded  by  a  rest  at  sunset. 

She  loved  nature,  and  to  her  everything  that  nature 

made  was  good. 

Though  perhaps  we  ought  to  make  an  exception  to 
that  statement,  for  ahe  war^i-enehr  and  had  becn. 


taught  from  het  earliest  infancy  that  Indians  were  chil- 


,,'^\|jt;:; 


.U&ei:s'> 


*^"'T*'?!*Vv  "'■ '  u  ^i"^'^1iW"fT,^  :-\'^,^X''g"  ':■">'' 


T 


vt- 


•«cj| 


In  the  Hands  of  the  Enemy.  «9 

■'  — .— » '- ' '  ; 

dren  of  the  evil  one,  and  the  English  were  really  past 
all  hope  in  this  world  or  the  next,      y^^. 

By  English  she  meant  every  nationality  sav(r  ^^ 
own.    All  who  lived  East  and  recognized  King  George, ' 
whether  they  were  bom  in  England  or  America,  Hol- 
land or  Saxony,  were  alike  English  in  her  belief  and, 
therefore,  hateful.  ^ 

She  looked  up  at  the  sky  and  saw  the,  sun  ginking 
below  the  horizon ;  then,  with  bowed  head,  she  repeiatcd 
the  Angelus.  .      '  "•    n  ' 

Her  heart  was  soft,  her  whole  nature  full  of  love, 
and  as  she  walked  along  she  forgot  the  fatigues  of  the 
day,  and  gloried  in  the  beauties  of  the  scene  around  her. 

She  thought  nothing  of  the  cold.  Why  should  she?, 
Her  life  had  b^n  spent  in  that  district,  anid  the  sum- 
mer's heat,  as  well  as  the  winter's  cold,  were  but  natu- 
ral  to  her.  ; 

As  she  walked  she  lookfed  at  the  darkeiiiil  mists 
over  the  river,  and  wondered  at  the  ^Jroken  ice. 

A  little  gasp,  a  half-startled  cry  escaped  her  asrshe 
saw  a  human  body  lying  on  the  bank. 

She  ptSlled  her  head  shawl  over  her  face  and  started 
to  run  back  home,  afraid  of  the  sight  of  death. 

"Perhaps  he  is  not  dead,"  she  thought ;  and  all  the 
kindliness  of  her  heart  emboldened  her. 

She  turned  bravely  back. 

"A  boy!  and  so  pretty!"  she  murmured.    "Poor  fel- 


)■.: 


"->^ 


1,        '■••H 


^rwT    Is  he  dead?    He  has  been  in ^le  water. 


rv^ 


^^mjifk'-'  *  rti  ^> 


-<#?r 


/^t 


30 


in  the  Hands  of  the  Enemy* 


She  knelt  down  iy  iiis  side  and  looked  into  hU  face* 

How  her  heatif  beat  and  body  treifnbledi  for  she 
thought  he  was  dead.  ^  ' 

-  She  felt  his  cfothes;  they  were  frozen  stifif  and  ad- 
herjed  to  the  ground.  ■  \         . 

Then  she  laid  her  hand  on  his  face. 

That,  too,  was  like  marble,  or,  more  properly,  ^cc. 

"D<iad,  poor  fellow!    Who  is  he?    Whcr^  did  *ic 

Kvcr  ,  '   '    '     ,    ■  \ 

\  She  bent  her  head  over  him  and  commenced  saying  a 
PciUr  Noster.  It  was  all  she  could  think  of,  and  % 
whole  SQul  was  thrown  into  it.  1 

Her  haii^was  on  his  face. 

Again  the  idff  of^being  alone  with  the  dead  alarmc^ 
her,  and  she  resolved  to  leave  him.  .     , 

She  kissed  his  brow.    It  was  frozen. 

One  more  kiss,  this  timei  on  his  lips. 

She  jumped  up  and  ran  with  all  th|  speed  of  a  gbs 
zelle,  for  she  fancied  a  sigh  escaped  him  as  licr  lips 
met  his. 

**Help I"  sheened  in  Froich. 

Those  wer?  troublous  times,  and  every  ear  was  sharp 
to  listen  for  the  cry  of  distress.  /     " ; 

Almost  iminediately  her  father  responded. 

"Marie  !l  am  coming."  -       •    \ 

She  ran  to  meet  h«r  father,  and  told  him  of  the  boy. 

«I  am  af raid--4ie— is— Sot—deadT  she  said,  with  « 


-^ 


'stS- 


i.  ■« 


.'^i-  ■•.l,t?i«>jH  .''uiia.'ifl 


V         r  •'•'j!  ^"'."/^'  t"! ,«         1  I'      "  * ',  ^r*' 


*\ 


III  the  Htndt  of  the  ^nemy.  31 

pretty  innocence  of  manner,  •'because—I-^think— he^ 
b— EngUsh." 

^MWi^  placed  her  hand  over  her  father's  mouth  and  ^ 
whispered: 

"He  cannot  helpr  it ;  for  my  sake,  save  him  V* 

'Tor  your  sake — ^yes,  but '* 

And  jigain  the  Frenchman  broke  out  with  a  long 
stAig  of  expletives,  all  qualifying  what  he  would  hke 
to  do  with  every  Englishman.  -" 

With  his  daughter's  assistance  he  raised  Harry  from 
the  ground ;  but  his  clothing  was  torn,  much  of  it  being 
left  frozen  to  the  earth. 

He  sighed  gently,  but  gave  no  other  sign  of  life. 

Jean  le  Fabre  lifted  the  boy  in  his  arms  and  carried 
him  as  easily  as  he  would  a  child.  ^      ^ 

"Run,  first,  Marie,  and  prepare  thy  mother;  thott 
knofwest  she  likes  not  the  English."  ^  / 

Marie  heeded  no  urging,  and  by  the  time  her  father 
'rcachied.the  house  her  mother  was  waiting  to  help  re- 
store the  boy  to  life. 

**What  are  you  going  to  do  with  him  V*  asked  Madam 
le  Fabre,  when  two  hburs  later  she  left  the  side  of  the 
English  boy.        ' 

*T)o?  Why,  what  do  ypu  think?  I  hate  the  Eng- 
lish, they  are  enemies  of  ours,  and  as  soon  as  he  la  well 
vcnough  I  will  send  the  boy  to  Gen.  de  Villiers." 


„T<S«>  !. 


'•What  wH  they  do  wt&hun?^ 


^ 


feiavt, 


:rti'fi2*^tt  j.U,.-K.t^%f  -.'..^if 


3* 


In  the  Hands  of  the  Enemy. 


"Hang  him,  most  likely." 

"He  is  young,  and  cannot  be  an  enemy,"  pleaded 
madam,  her  heart  softened  by  her  motherly  attentions 

to  the  boy. 

"How  will  you  get  him  to  the  camp?" 

"Red  Wolf  will  pass  here  in  three  days,  and  he  shall 
take  him." 

"I  do  not  like  tftat  Red  Wolf,"  said  madam. 

"I  can't  say  that  I  do,  either;  I  wouldn't  trust  a  boy 
of  mine  with  him,  but  yonder  lad  is  English." 

"I  wish  there  wer^  some  other  way." 

"There  isn't,  and  that  settles  it.  The  boy  must  go 
with  Red'  Wolf,  and  I  shall  be  well  quit  of  him." 

Poor  Harry  I  Escaped  from  the  murderous  hand  of 
the  savage  one  day,  to  be  handed  over  to  his  tender 
m^cies  another. 

The  times  were  indeed  troublous. 
'  Marie  overheard  her  parents  talking,  and  her  quick 
"brain  was  busy.  -• 

"Give  him  to  Red  Wolf?  No,  not  if  Marie  can^pre- 
vent  it" 


•Hi 


/ 


V 


■^ 


'  ,\'    f  94  . 


tJri^ti,^,!      -    •.■'Vl    .  vA*v,>  'X4,i«#<i<fea4f 


•^'■f'^: 


•i  % 


t^       1 


\      hAJ 


CHAPTER  VI. 

ENEMIES,  YET  FRIENDS. 

Many  of  the  French  who  had  settled  in  the  Ohio 
Valley  could  talk  English  as  well  as  their  native  lan- 
guage, and  it  was  the  proud  ambition  of  4he  honest 
settlers  to  give  their  children-  as  good  an  education  as 
they  possibry  could. 

The  various  agencies  of  the  Catholic  Church  as- 
sisted in  this,  for  they  felt  that  the  more  the  two  na- 
tions  mingled,  the  better  would  it  be  for  the  church. 

Marie  le  Fabre  could  talk  French  with  all  the  ease 
and  proficiency  of  a  Parisan.  That  language  was  the 
one  always  used  at  home,  and  so  there  was  no  wonder 
that  she  was  proficient. 

But  she  could  talk  English,  also,  with  such  a  pretty 
accent  that  those  who  heard  her  declared  she  ought  to 
teach  school,  so  that  all  might  speak  as  prettily. 

Marie  always  thought  in  French,  and  she  was  won- 
dering whether  the  handsome  boy  whose  life  she  had 
saved  understood  French. 

It  would  be  so  much  easier  for  her  if  he  did. 
She  thought  all  that  night  about  him. 
JJot  on€e^d^-,rfeep,^^te^t  3Q  she  averred,  and 
Who  dare  doubt  so  good  an  authority? 


'J: 

'i 


4-\  ^.\^-i*•Wl^i^v     Li  Lr 


•11  if 


-A^^  -i 


y^i?:» 


f.V  .  t 


-'-i 


1; 


,  f 


34 


Enemies,  Yet  Friends. 


If  she  did  sleep,  she  dreamed  about  Harry,  and  her 
thoughts  and  dreams  took  somewhat  of  this  form : 

"He  is  handsome.  I  wonder  who  he  is  and  how  he 
came  to  be  on  that  river  bank?  My  father  says  he  is 
to  be  given  to  Gen.  de  VilUers,  and  taken  there  by  Red 
Wolf.  I  hate  Red  Wolf.  I  think  Red  Wolf  is  cruel. 
He  shall  not  have  my  boy.  He  is  mine— did  I  not  find 
him?    Did  I  not  save  his  life?    Of  course  I  did,  and 

so  he  is  mine."  * 

She  argued  in  ti^t  fashion  all  night  itmg,  and  wished 

ever  so  many  times  that  she  might  gp  to  his  room. 

She  saw  nothing  wrong  in  nursing  him,  but  her 
mother  positively  forbade  it.  ^ 

When  morning's  light  beamed  through  the  Uttle 
window  in  her  room,  Marie  dressed  quid^j^  and  said 
her  usual  prayers,  but  for  the  first  time  in  her  life  her 
thoughts  were  not  on  the  subject  of  her  supplication. 
Only  once  did  she  throw  her  whole  soul  into  her  peti- 
tion to  the  Supreme,  and  tiiat  was  when  she  added  a 
few  words  on  behalf  of  "her  boy."  \/ 

^  With  quiet  steps  she  approached  the  ddor  of  the 
rtx>n\  where  he  was  lyhig,  and  saw  her  mother  gently 
raise  his  head  while  he  drank  some  warm  milk.  ^ 

\       Marie  pushed  open  tiie  door,  and  a  smile  passed  over 

Harry's  face. 
Her  presence  was  as  gladsome  as  the  sunshine,  and 
no  harm  could 


Her  mother  had  told  him  how  he  came  to  be  th«<Q» 


,,s  ^    ^ 


^M"*' 


...  ...,i»<il  »i.i.  ,._t»;.. 


■jii^if  -»'   ■*!  .' 


■^■"^f 


Tf  ji-  VJt 


Enemies,  Yet  FjriendsT 


\..'' 


35 


and  when  his  ccmscious  eyes  saw  Mgfie  for  the  first 
time  he  looked,  rather  than  spoke,  his  thanks. 

"I  will  stay  here  now,  ma  mere"  said  Marie,  in  good 
English,  sfve  only  the  term  of  endearment. 

Without  a  word  Madam  le  Fabre  relinquished  her 
post  and  left  the  young  people  Ic^ether. 

"We  are  French,"  said  Marie,  "and  you  are  Eng- 
lish ;  therefore  we  are  enemies."  "^ 

"Our  people  may  be,  but  we  are  not,  are  we?"  asked 
Harry,  in  a  whisper. 

"I  am  not  your  enemy,"  she  answered.  "Will  you 
tell  me  how  you  came  on  this  side  of  the  river?" 

"Afes  I  if  I  were  to  do  so  I  should  only,  perhaps,  give 
your  people  cause  to  rejoice,  though  my  heart  would  be 
sad  in  th<^  telling." 

"You  are  not  a  soldier?" 

"No." 

"You  cannot  be  a — a — 

"Spy,  you  would  say?  No,  mademoiselle,  I  am  no 
spy." 

"Call  me  Marie." 

"If  you  will  address  me  as  Harry." 

How  quickly  the  reserve  is  broken  when  young  peo- 
ple are  together  I 

Here  were  two— boy  and  girl — strangfers  to  each 
other,  young  in  years,  yet  he  almost  a  man  by  reason 


of  his  troubles,  she  innocent  and  loving— what  wonder 


•'  ^  .4 


4 

1 

4' 

(4 

rs 

'M 

f 

«i 

'1 

m 

» 

'^<S' 

T^R 

"^K'' 

I.- 

•  'wt 

■ 

• 

—-—Jr. 

^       '.M-^      . 

kiiMt^^kiikj>iiii  ^^'■o.--'..  -i^-y.  .  ■  .'. 


f',.  "■-•■•  ,T 


T    36 


■■7 


-~!l  ,V 


J  ■.■„■■- 


■^Enemies,  Yet  Friends. 


that  in  less  than  an  hour  they  knew  each  other's  his- 
tories? 

Only  one  thing  had  Harry  omitted.    He  had  not 

mentioned  Red  Wolf's  name. 

"My  father  says  he  will  send  you  to  the  Frenc^  gen- 
eral, De  Villiers."  ! 

"Why  should  he?" 

"He  thinks  it  his  duty." 

"He  will  send  me,  how?" 

"RedWolf—- r" 

'•What  know  you  of  him?**  \ 

"Do  you  know  him?" 

"It  was  Red  Wolf  who  would  have  killed  me  had 
not  the  Virginian,  George  Washington,  interposed.  It 
was  Red  Wolf  Vho  murdered  my  grandfather  and 
grandmother.  It  was  Red  Wolf  who  wanted  to  kill 
me,  but  a  kind  Indian  uhkx)sed  my  fetters  and  helped 
me  to  escape.    If  I  am  given  to  Red  Wolf  I  shall  be 

killed."  V  .:■ 

"The  Indian  shall  not  have  you,"  answered  Marie, 
.  with  determination,  tapping  the  floor  with  her  foot. 

"I  shall  have  to  trust  in  you,  Marie."      ^ 

"I  will  not  fail  you.  Leave  everything  to  me  and 
you  shall  be  saved."  /      ' 

"I  will  never  forget  your  kindness." 

Marie  sought  her  father  and  coaxed. him,  as  she 
yHl  im^w  how,  but  for  once  she  could  not  move  him. 


He  was  a  rigid  disciplinarian,  and  believed  it  to  ^. 


t       i 


ifi 


"►'Hf 


I. 


\ 


Enemies,  Yet  Friends. 


37 


/ 


his  duty  to  give  Harry  over  to  the  officer  commanding 
in  his  district.        I  *  .  ^ 

"But  what  wrong' has  he  done?"  asked  Marie. 

"None  that  I  kiiow  of,  but  he  may  be  a  spy." 

"No,  no ;  I  am  sure  he  is  not." 

"How  can  you  be  sure?"  . 

**He  told  me  he  was  not."  /-  > 

The  Frenchman  laughed  at  his  daughter's  simplidty, 
and  bade  her  attend  to  her  duties. 

Obe(p[iently  she  proceeded  to  her  work  ;'but  could  not 
sing  as  was  her  custom ;  all  her  thoughts  were  with  the 
youth  she  had  saved. 

She  told  her  father  later  in  the  day  how  Red  Wolf 
had  murdered  the  aged  grandparents  of  their  patient, 
and  Madam  le  Fabre  muttered: 

"Poor  boy!" 

But  Le  Fabre  only  softened  enough  to  say : 

"If  there  was^  any  other  way,  I  would  not  let  Red 
Wolf  escort  him."  /    "^ 

"Take  him  ydurself,  father,"  suggested  Marie. 

"Perhaps  I  will."  ' 

But,  as  the  French  say,  "L'homme  propose,  el  Dieu 
dispose,"  80  Marie  was  to  find  out. 

The  very  next  day  a  messenger  arrived  from  CdL 
d'Arville,  who  had  been  on  a  scouting  expedition  with 
Red  Wolf. 

t)'Arville*9~1tnowledgr"thar^tisnyT 


"f 


had  been  rescued  and  was  with  Le  Fabre,  so  an  imr 


<  * 


^^fS^w^T^wTj^ 


<  .l^-'^'^v^i")^^ 


3« 


Marie'ft  Sacrifice. 


perative  order  Was  sent  that  the  prisbnfer,  who  was 
described  as  a  most  dangerous  spy,  must  l>e  delivered 
on  the  morrow  to  Red  Wolf. 

"It  must  be  fo ;  I  have  no  alterative  now." 

M^^  '^^  disconsolate.     , 

Everything/looked  black  tor  Harry. 

"I  have  sa^d  I  would  save  him,  and  I  will." 

She  thougiit  of  many  ways,  but  none  of  them  ap> 
peared  feasible.  -^ 

It  was  neitr  the  hour  for  retiring  to  rest  when  a  new 
idea  flashed  aoross  her  mind,  and  she  determined  to 
put  it  to;the  test      '  ^ 


i     CHAPTER  YII. 

;arie's   sacrifice.  \ 

every  means  to  gain  access  to  Harry'i 
TOopaijhvA  her  mother  was,  for  some  reason,  never 
absent  a  minute.  1 

night  Marie  thought  over  her  scheme,  but  as  the 
moriiing  dawned  it  seemed  more  difficult  than  ever  pf 
accomplishment.  . 

The  day  Was  far  advanced  before  she  could  gain  the 
opportunity  of  speaking  witi  the  young  Ameri9an. 
But  evcn^hm  she  saw  bttt  ilight  j 


^  .  \1«  tier  scheme  into  execution. 


s^;>' 


itsi^^i^'M'^^ji 


Sviun^ 


■Li:k 


1        ^ 


«:■' 


Maric*8   Sacrifice. 


39 


R^d  Wolf  and  his  savages  might  arrive  at  zny  mo- 
ment, and  it  would  then  be  too  late. 

The,  hours  of  sunshine  passed  and  the  dreaded  In- 
dian did  not  appear. 

The  messenger  from  Col.  d'Arville  had  been  very 
open  in  his  remarks  to  Le  Fabre,  and  Marie  had  heard 
every  word, 

"There  is  to  be  war"— she  said  to  Harry,  in  a  low 
voice— "war  between  your  people  and  mine*  Not  such 
as  we  have  had,  but  Col.  d'Arville  says  a  regular  war." 

"Are  you  sure  you  heard  aright  r* 

"Quite;  he  said  that  King  Louis  had  already  sent 
three  thousand  French  soldiers,  and  your  King  Georg« 
had  ordered  several  regiments  to  come  to  this  country. 
It  Will  be  awful,  for  you  will  get  killed." 

"I  hope  not,  Marie." 

"So  do  I."; 

"It  seems  to  me  my  danger  is  right  here."  / 

That  was  the  opening  Mari^  needed. 
''"She  told  him  of  her  plan  for  his  escape. 

"I  cannot  do  it." 

"You  must,  if  you  value  your  life."  * 

"I  do  value  my  life,  but  I  would  rather  lose  it  than 
endanger  you." 

"1  shall  be  all  right.  For  my  sake,  Harry,  you 
must" 


'S.,;* 


"# 


It  was  hard  to  resist  such  an  appc^^ 


I  .■ 


j^  /. 


1   '  4&1»,  '  K    ».  '*tt  **Jj       jJi  .-.J 


"l 


40 


Marie's   Sacrifice. 


tar-'-V 


What  would  he  not  do  for  the  sake  of  the  little 
French  maiden? 

"Do  you  wish  it,  Marie?"  » 

"How  can  you  ask  that?  If  anything  happened  to 
you  I  should  die." 

"Yet  three  days  ago  you  did  not  know  of  my  exist- 
ence." 

"No,  but  I  never  lived  till  then."  • 

This  young  couple,  full  of  the  innocence  of  youth, 
talked  as  freely  as  though  they  had  known  each  other 
for  years. 

Red  Wolf  was  rightly  name?I.  In  all  the  land  there 
was  not  a  more  savage  anim:^  than  he. 

His  was  not  the  warfare  men  indulge  in  to  avenge 
some  wrong  or  to  serve  tiieir  country,  but  one  having 
for  its  motive  an  insatiate  love  of  blood. 

He  was  allied  to  the  French,  not  because  he  thought 
they  had  any  right  to  the  beautiful  valley,  but  simply 
because  he  was  given  more  liberty. 

Had  the  other  side,  that  of  England  and  the  colony, 
aflforded  more  scope  for  bloodshed,  he  would  have 
espoused  it  with  the  same  ardor. 

After  tttfe  escape  of  Harry,  Red  WcJf  was  like  a 

He  showed  no  mercy  to  young  or  old;  he  took  na, 
pHsoaers,  but  slaughtered  babes  and  old  people  with- 
out a  qualm  of  conscience.  ~^ 


■'■%'- 


i# 


*  1 


r1  ,^ 


•j  *.    '  »,     ^a^ir^lK,   ,^.'jJi%fiK;^ii 


,.,T:,,.p^ 

little 

id  to 
odst- 

■    -  ■     Hi 

1 

auth. 

•     " 

jther 

t ; 

r               •     (' 

■  '                               ''5 

there 

i 

f 

enge 
[ytng 

lught 

mply 

■  1 

lony, 

■i 

have 

.  f 

ii'^rrij^jj. 


^ 


■.vi. 


Marie's  Sacrifice. 


41 


Let  ft  pot  be  thought  that  the  French  indorsed  his 
actions,  er  approved  his  conduct. 

No ;  neither  the  commander  of  the  •  French  forces, 
nor  his  subordinate  officers,  would  have  directly  ap- 
proved of  the  barJbiarities  of  Red  Wolf,  but  they  closed 
their  eyeS. 

Having  accepted  the  savages  as  allies,**they  asked  no 
questions  and  made  no  inquiries  into  the  methods  of 
the  Indian  warfare. 

Red  Wolf's  trail  .was  easily  followed,  for  it  was 
marked  by  burning  dwellings  and  murdered  innocents. 

About  three  miles  from  the  residence  of  Le'  Fabre  a 
number  of  Americans  met  Red  Wolf,  and  engaged 
with  him  in  a  short,  sharp  conflict. 

The  Americans,  who  believed  there  was  a  certain  awe 
to  be  inspired  by  the  preseflce  of  the  English  flag,  car- 
ried it  before  them  when  they  went  out  to  meet  the 
savages.        *       '  ^ 

For  an  hour  the  fight  continued;  the  old  Hint-lock 
muskets  of  the  Americans  did  terrible  work,  but  Red 
Wolf  would  not  surrender. 

The  Americans  succeeded  in  driving  the  Indians  to 
the  banks  of  the  river,  and  poured  such  a  volley  intO/ 
their  ranks  that  Red  Wolf  sought  the  pifetection  of  tl^ 
water.  .  .  / 

TTie  "Indians  had  left  seven  of  their  number  dead. 


while  th^  Americans  had  only  lost  four. 


4» 


Marie's  Sacrifice. 


The  Indian  was  more  exasperated  xnd  bloodthirsty 
than  ever,  and  scarcely  respected  the  residences  of  his 
allies. 

It  was  late  in  the  day  when,  with  a  wild  whoop,  he 
came  in  sight  of  Le  Fabre's  residence. 

A  message  had  reached  him  that  a  prisoner  awaited 
him,^and  it  was  impressed  on  his  mind  that  the  prisoner 
must  suffer  no  Hurt,  but  be  conveyed  to  fcol.  d'Arville. 
Red  Wolf  had  already  made  up  his  mind  that  the 
prisoner's  scalp  skould  hang  from  his  belt.  It  would 
be  so  easy  to  goad  him  into  some  act  which  would  form 
nan  excuse  for  summary  punishment. 

Le  Fabre  met  the  Indian  and  offered  him  hospitality. 
"Firewater." 

The  two  words  were  dccompattfed  by  a  grunt  and  an 
expressive  gesture  showing  how  good  some  brandy 
would  be. 

Le  Fabre  dare  not  refuse,  and  soon  Red  Wolf  and 
his  men  were  makmg  the  little  st^  of  brandy  disap- 
pear quite  rapidly.  / 
"The  prisoner !"  demanded  Red  Wolf. 
"He  is  safe,  and  shall  be  handed  over  to  you  when 
you  are  ready  to  march." 

'•Wegonow."  ' 

"Stay  till  to-morrow." 

"No." 

^d  Wolf  bade  his  men  be  ready  for.  the  march,  and 


m— • 


Xe  Fabre  dare  hot  refuse  to  produce  the  prisoner. 


f '^.i^i;Kj,^''./r-.  i,-.« 


'  /i    '    ' 


Marie's   Sacrifice. 


43 


"It  is  a  shame !"  ejaculated  Madam  le  Fabre. 

"Mari€f — ^Marie !"  shouted  La  Fabre ;  but  no  Marie 
responded. 

"It  is  better  so;  she  would  have  v/ept  had  s\^  seal 
the  boy  taken  away."  '  i  , 

One  of  the  farm  hands,  a  snealdng,  miseral^le,  small- 
souled  fellow,  the  same  who  had  conveyed  jthe  new!«  to 
Col.  d'ArvU^e  that  a  young  English  spy  was  at  Le 
Fabre's  house,  accosted  his  employer,  and  in  French 
tdd  him  that  Marie  had  gone  into  the  woods  and  was 
walking  faster  than  he  ever  saw  a  girl  do  before. 

Le  Fabre  opened  the  door  of  the  room  in  which 
Harry  had  been  placed. 

"Come,  my  boy ;  although  we  are  enemies,  I  am  sorr/p 
for  you ;  but  duty  is  duty,  you  know.*' 

A  scream  from  Madam  le  Fabre  startled  everyone; 
even  Red  Wolf  was  agitated. 

Another  and  another  burst  from  the  wcunan's  lips. 

"What  is  it,  mother?" 

"Come  away;  can't  you  see?"  ^ 

"See  what?"  asked  her  husband.  ^ 

"That  is  not  the  boy,"  she  whispered.   . 

"Not  the  boy  I    Who  is  it j  then?" 

"Marie  I"  . 

From  the  side  of  the.  old  trundle  bed  the  priscmer 
rose,  atid  a  strange  figtire  it  was. 


xloth«  were  these  of  Hai 


were  to^large,  and  altogether  unfit  for  the  wearer. 


y< 


m 


i0i'4^B^'iA'ib '  H.  """•- 


'^T'"' '^i-f-  ^pf'i^f^^'^ .^7^  ^'  -^ .^W"'*'^^  ■**-.-^.Tw',t" ' ;<-Y'^;  iri'"^:«|^%':>  *'Jt/'^f  'i"' ^^' 


Marie's  Sacrifice. 


'  '^^^ 


The  face  was  that  of  Marie. 

She  saw  she  was  discovered.  v^ 

"Yes,  father,  I  am  Marie." 

"But  how  comes  it " 

"You  said  Harry  was  to  be  given  up  to  Red  Wolf. 
His  life  was  mine,  for  I  saved  it.  I  said  he  should 
never  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  savage,  and  so  I— -I— 
helped  him  to  escape.* 

Neithei*'  her  father  nor  mother  could  blame  her, 
though  they  foreiaw  t^t  the  consequences  might  be 
unpleasant.  — 

Le  Fabre  tried  to  explain  to  Red  Wolf,  but  the  sav- 
age insisted  that  he  had  to  take  a  prisoner  to  D*Arvi|le, 
and  that  he  didn't  know  anything  about  Marie  or 
Harry. 

He  insisted  on  taking  lifarie  as  the  prisoner. 

More  fire  water  was  produced,  and  the  savages  drank 
until  they  were  excited  and  merry. 

But,  instead  of  softening  Red  Wolfs  heart,  it  only 
hardened  it. 

**Fear  ^ot  for  me,  papa.  Red  Wolf  dare  not  do  me 
an  inju^,"  said  Marie,  who  appeared  t6  be  resigned 
to  her  jbte. 

In  h^er  mind  she  was  thinking  that,  ere  the  next  mom- 

ing**  dawn,  she  would  be  dead ;  but  there  was  no  grief 

at  Ae  thought,  for  she  had  given  her  life  for  "her  boy." 

_LAjgain  thf  order  was  givgi^iior  the  Tndiani  to  prapat'C 

to  march,  and  Marie  was  seized  and  Ibound. 


•••"ti. 


.i^i.v 


Marie's  Sacrifice. 


45 


Her  arms  Vrere  tied  tightly  to  her  sides,  and  her 
anlded  were  tied  with  a  rope  so  that  she  could  only  walk 
by  taking  short  steps. 

This  was  to  prevent  her  running  away.    \, 

Le  Fabre  resolved  to  accompany  the  party,  and  Red 
Wolf  mentally  resolved  on  having  his  scalp  as  well. 

But  just  as  the  procession  was  forming,  amid  the 
sobs  and  shrieks  of  Madam  le  Fftbre  and  the  female 
members  of  the  household,  a  figpiire  was  seen  running 
from  Ac  direction  of  the%ood. 

"Stop !  I  am  the  prisoner  you  want.  Spare  her,  she 
is  innocent." 

T|!«  voice  and  form  were  those  of  Harry  Leonard, 
§bt  the  clothes  were  those  of  Marie. 
'    "Harry,  why  did  you  come  back?"  asked  Marie. 

"I  could  not  let  you  suffer." 

"Brave  boy,  I  will  go  with  you  to  the  colonel,  and 
will  plead  for  you,"  said  Le  Fabre. 

Red  Wolf  had  been  staring  at  Harry;  the  disguise 
had  prevented  rec(^;nition  for  a  time. 

"You  not  dead  ?"  he  exclaimed,  when  he  realized  that 
the  youth  in  girl's  clothes  was  rea^y  the  grandson  ol  I 
the  ''did  couple  he  had  murdered. 

"No,  Red  Wolf,  I  did  not  die  in  the  river,  as  you 
thou^^t,  but  I  lived  to  accuse  yQU  of  murder.  1  shall 
live  to  take  your  life,  and  as  my  grandmother  died  sa 
shall  you."  ^^ 


^.1 


■X 


:j  '. 


are  my  pnspner, 


Tir 


-X 


■./1 


\ 


'/^ 


4* 


Marie's  Sacrifice. 


"Yes,  so  I  was  before,  but  you  cannot  kill  me.  The 
blood  you  have  shed  is  between  us,  and  until  that  is 
wiped  away  I  shall  live  to  haunt  your  life." 

Red  Wolf  understood  every  word ;  he  talked  English 
and  French  with  great  fluency.  '    > 

His  people  openly  comprehended  a  few  words,  and 
he  was  too  much  frightened  to  translate  to  them. 

The  savage  trembled.  * 

The  superstitions  of  his  people  were  strong  in  their 
power,  and  there  ^was  one  vhich  was  present  to  his 
mind. 

"The  braves  of  ithe  Blackfeet  fear  no  enemy  until  the 
dead  comes  to  lifi  to  confront  them." 

That  was  ti|ie^perstition  of  his  people,  and  he  really 
believed  tl^it^Harry  had  been  dead,  but  came  to  life  as 
his  Nenlsis?*^ 

RedyWolf  stared  at  Harry  until  he  shook  with  nerv- 
ous lean 

"Away I    Away!"  cried  the  Indian.    "Ill  not  touch 

J«0U." 

,  Madam  le  Fabre  whispered  to  the  young  folks,  and 
they  retired  to  once  again  exchange  their  clothes. 

Marie,  when  once  more  in  her  owil  pretty  cpstume, 
blushed  at  the  remembrance  of  her  masquerade,  and 
could  Scarcely  look  at  Hkrry. 

"Go,  young  man,  quickly,"  whispered  Le  Fabre,  and 
Harry  was  glad  enough  of  the  chance  to  escape,  for 


now  he  knew  that  Marie  was  safe. 


^ti^Mi    Sit 


■        I 


'"'H  -Sfhfk'^^ 


-ihs:i 


■     ^r  '*-"■' '■''\?f^'ffV/^^^y'^?^^' 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


THE  DEFEAT  OF  BRADDOCK. 


Marie's  information  was  true.  Both  the  English  and 
French  nations  professed  to  be  at  peace,  ^but^yet  each 
prepared  for  war. 

Lo^  XV.  sent  three  thousand  soldiers  to  Canada, 
and  the  British  govemmoit  ordered  Gen.  Edward 
Braddock  to  proceed  to  America  with  two  regiments 
of  regulars. 

There  were  four  pl[ans  of  campaign  formulated  by 
the  governors  of  the  colonies. 

Lawrence,  the  governor  of  Nova  Scotia,  was  to  com- 
plete the  con(fuest  of  that  province.  Johnson,  of  New 
York,  was  to  enroll  a  force  of  volunteers  and  Mohawks 
in  British  pay,  ""and  to  capture  the  French  post  at 
Crown  Point  ' 

Shirley,  of  Massachusetts,  was  to  equip  a  regiment 
and  drive  the  enemy  from  their  fortress  at  Niagara. 

Braddock,  as  commander-in-chief,  was  to  lead  the 
main  body  of  regulars  against  I^ort  du  Quesne,  retake 
that  post,  and  expel  the  French  from  the  Ohio  Valley. 

Braddock  had  two  thousand  veterans  with  him.  and 
expected  to  receive  as  many  more  recruits  from  the 
■flploilies. '. 1 


>''l 


George  Washington  had  sent  in  his  restgnattoo,  and 


:^ 


ife;^ 


-/■  I 


48 


The  Defeat  of  Braddock. 


most  of  the  American  officers  had  followed  his  ex- 
ample. 

It  has  often  been  said  that  a  very  trivial  thing  may 
decide  the  fate  of  a  nation.  * 

Cromwell  was  about  to  leave  England  and  seek  hts 
fortunes  in  the  western  worid,  when  Charles  I.  ordered 
him  to  appear  before  a  judge  to  render  an  account  of 
the  value  of  his  property. 

That  .little  order  cost  Charles  his  head  and  estab- 
lished a  republic  in  England,  with  Cromwell  ^  its 
president. 

Washington  was  loyal  to  England ;  he  was  a  beUever 
in  the  right  of  kings,  and  would  have  given  his  life  to 
serve  Ring  George. 

He  had  served  his  king  faithfully,  and  been  pro- 
moted  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant-colonel. 

When  Braddock  came  over,  Washington  was  one  of 
the  first  to  offer  his  sword  and  the  service  of  his  Vir- 
ginians. 

In  Braddock*s  commission  it  was  expressly  stated 
th^  the  colonial  officers  should  have  no  rank  while 
serving  in  connection  with  the  king's  army. 

This  order  was  an  insult. 

Washington  felt  it  keenly,  and  at  once  sent  in  his 
resignation. 

Gov.  Dinwiddle  sent  for  him. 

"Virginia  needs  your  sword.    The  country  must  be 

^smi^itmilts^omuT'  said  die  govemw.         ~~ 


-^S 


*.'■'.!.' 


,i,>*^,.  f-*?^;*.'^ 


■>|Sr  -?*? 


'^^f 


The  Defeat  of  Braddock. 


49 


"I  have  won  my  rank." 

"We  know  it,  and  it  is  because  we  have  need  of  you 
that  I  ask  you  to  withdraw  your  resignation." 

"I  will  fight  for  Virginia,  but  not  for  King  George," 
answered  the  brave  Washington. 

"It  is  for  your  country  you  will  fight." 

And  this  little  episode  was  the  turning  point  in  Wash- 
ington's career.         / 

"I  am  loyal  to  the  king,"  he  said,  "but  I  cannot  fight 
for  him.    I  will  fight  for  my  country." 

Braddock  knew  that  England  was  in  the  wrong,  and 
appointed  the  Virginian  on  his  staflF. 

In  everything  but  official  documents  he  gave  Wash- 
ington his^ll  title. 

It  was  not  the  title  that  the  Virginian  cared  about,  it 
was  the  fact  that  the  order  was  a  direct  insult  to  the 
colonists. 

The  march  began  from  Fort  Cumberland. 

A  select  force  of  five  hundred  men  was  thrown  for- 
ward to  open  the  roads  to  Fort  du  Quesne. 

The  advance  was  led  by  Sir  Peter  Halket,  and  Brad- 
dock followed  with  the  main  body. 

The  army,  marching  in  a  slender  column,  extended 
along  the  narrow  roads  for  four  miles. 

"Grtjneral,  you  do  not  know  the  country,"  said  the 
sagacious  Benjamin  Franklin,  "and  you  ought  to  move 
with  more  caution." 


"Caution,  sirrah  I    What  mean  you?" 


i. 


'■■fk 


..A 


i: 


^19^ 


•i 


.^^^ 


_.jfi/ 


io 


The  Defeat  of  Bnddock. 


w 


"The  Indians  may  be  in  ambuscades;  had  you  not 
better  send  out  scouts?'   "  . 
■    Braddock  was  self-willed  and  arfogant       ' 

He  looked  at  Franklin,  »id  for  a  ifiomeitf  di4  nol    ' 
utter  a  sotind.  '  i    : 

When  he  did  it  was  to  give  utterance  to  a  hearty^ — ^ 
laugh  and  a  contemptuous  speech : 

"Sirrah  l>   Not  all  the  savages  in  the  world  could 
mkke  any  impression  on  his  majesty's  regulanu" 

Washington  was  jint  fiM-,  and  the  general  asked  hiili 
what  he  thought  of  tfie  situation.  fi 

.  "We  need  greater  caution.    We  are  in  <^ger  of 
sonbuscades."  *         . 

Bradc^ck  flew  into  a  passion^ 

.    "I  haVes<5en  real  fighting,  and  it  is  high  time  when  a"" 
Col.  Buckskin  presumes  to  teach  one  of  his  majesty's 
generals." 

On  the  eighth  of  July  the  van  reached  the  junctkm 
of  the  Youghioghcny  and  the  Monongahda. 

It  was  only  twelve  miles  more  to  Fort  du  Quesne. 

There  was  no  sign  of  the  enemy.    The  road  was  but 
twelve  feet  wide,  the  country  on  either  hand  was  cov- 
ered with  a  dense  undergrowth,  ^cks  and  ravines,  and    / 
little  hills,  thus  making  the  district  a  good  one  for  sud- 
den surprises. 

It  was  night 

The  clear  sky  was  studded  with  stars. . 


"Scarcely  V  breese  stirred  tibe  leav^ 


«-" 


* 


'  ^•'.•fl'.  , 


■■■':M.  "'  ''%r:i5f^^M. 


f  ^2^'  *"/"  '^SMU  ^^'^  '^T^  '^'^^ 


« 

The  Defeat  of  Bnuidock. 


■kfy^  —•- ~i^ 


«t 


i*,' 


Washington  was  Officer  of  the  watch,,  and  he  with 
his  subordinates  were  the  only  ones  not  sleeping. 

-^  "^S*^"*  of  the  grass  was  heard.    Washington 
scir^d  his  sword  and  awaited  further  dei^elopraents. 
'•Hush!    *Shr  •        -.       * 

y He  heard  the  cautionary  sound,  but' could  not  see.  , 

from  whence  it  came.  *•  r^-  ' 

"Are  you  English?'*  "      * 

The  qu<!stion  was  asked  suddenly,  and  in  a  low  voice. 

'1  am  American,  but  withV  the  English  army,"  an^ 

swered  Washington.       '         V     '  ,  .' 

'TTouar?  Mr.  Washington?"        *      ^ 
"Yes.    Who  an(l  where  are  you?"      '     * 
Up  from  the  long  gtass  fose  tUe  tall,  slrader 'form 
of  Harry  Leonard.       ' 

"You  once  saved  my  life ;  I  want  to  save  yours.  TH^ 
S|»Vages  are  in  ambuscade.  They  will  attack  you  be- 
foiie  mohiing.  Be  ready  for  tliem^  tHey  are  behind 
ev<iry  tree  and  bush  a  mile  ahead  of  you." 

Washington  did  not  recognize  the  boy  whom  he  had 
s^Ved  from  Red  Wolf  eighteen  months  before,  but  he  * 
realized  how  important  was  the  infon^ation. 

"Come  with  me*"  C^ 

Gen.  Bfaddock  was  roused,  iid  listened  to  the  story: 

"V\rhat  fool's  talc  is  this  that t^am  aroused  from  sleep 
to  hear?    France  has  nottwo  hundred  IndiaifralKegoit^ 


.  the  contineiit.    Colonel,  you  are  easily  imposed  upon.* 


4. 


*,jN 


I'    •  *\-  ;^'>  , 


,'-*'■    • 


\ii^. 


0  #' 


<* 


•J 


Mi. 


-ma 


:-f    - 


-'^'x^'JtAf' 


'^ ^ 


'^^■i,,;- 
-» 


i-^s- 


5^ 


.ilirt' 


The  Defeat  of  Braddock. 


"May  I  Stay  with  you?"  asked  Harry,  as  he  wilked 

back  with  the  Virginian.  , 

**YesT   You  are  a  brave  fellow ;  I  like  your  manner." 

Harry  was  overjoyed.  4ie  was  to  be  wit^  his  heri 

That  was  a  happiness  he  had  Utile  dreamed  of,  and 

he  knew  not  that  )Vashington  was  jwdt^  the  English 

army  until  he  saw  him  in  the  starlight  and  instantly 

Tgnizedhim. 
wo  hundred  and  thirty  French,  led  by  Beaujeu  an^ 
Dumas,  and  a  bod^  of  six  hundred  and  thirty-sevei^ 
Indians,  led  by  Red  Wolf,  set  out  to  harass  and  annoy 
tfie  English,  ■  j 

They  had  just  reached  their  place*of  ambuscade  whei^ 
Harry  Leonard  gave  the  information  to  Washington. 

Early  in  the  morning  the  order  was  given  to  march 

Braddock  laughed  at  the  idea  of  caution. 

The  flanking  parties  of  the  English  reached  th^ 
ambush.  I 

A  long  stream  of  fire  burst  out  from  the  bushes,  a 
savage  yell  from  the  Indians,  and  the  battle  began. 

Col.  Thomas  Gage  was  urged  to  hurry  up  his  men, 
but  he  was  undecided  and  confused. 

For  a  few  minutes  the  flanking  parties  held  their 
own,  but  the  Indians  closed  in  upon  them  and  drove 
them  back.  . 

The  French  fousrht  with  valor. 

The  Indians  yelled  and  shouted,  making  the  place 


't 


like  pahdenioniurh. 


'%.    4i^,t^j'' jitii'h} 


U 


itsL'^\ 


f'.  ,1 


)   ,  '  \A  i,aij  ntf  "Jc  ,,j  ■■Aii^'ik'iitU-it^^pf 


■^J    S  i'..  1    / ^ 


.)    ' 


■ '.  .-ii?*",! )      *  ,» #r<i  .y<r;(j 


The  Defeat  of  Braddock. 


0 


The  EngUsh  fire^  constantly,  but  seldom  saw  the 
enemy.  / 

Every  volley  froiti  the  hidden  foe  flew  with  deadly 
certainty  into  the  pinid-stricken  English. 

Braddock  rushe^  to  the  front. 

"Rally  for  old  England  and  your  king!"  he  cried. 

The  soldiers  w^re  huddled  together  like-theep. 

Many  fled  to  the  rear  in  terror. 
.  iThe  forest  was  strewn  with  dead. 

Red  Wolf  led  his  men  ably  and  skillfully,  and  made 
tfie  battle  almost  a  rout. 

Braddock  had  five  horses  shot  under  him. 

His  secretary  was  receiving  a  ^essage  to  be  con- 
veyed to  Gage,  when  an  arrow  pietced  his  heart. 

the  English  aides  were  disabled,  and  only  Wash- 
ington remained. 

"Fight,. I  say,  fight!  No  quarter  to  the  demons!" 
shouted  Braddock.  "Come,  ye  towards,  I'll  show  you 
how  to  fight!"  he  continued,  as  he  rushed  into  the 
midst  of  the  now  visible  enemy. 

A  musket  ball  entered  hjs  side,  and  he  fell  fainting 
to  the  ground.  . 

Harry  Leonard  raised  the  wounded  officer's  head. 
'*Where  is  Col.  Washington?'*  he  asked,  fainUy. 
"Here,  general."  j 

"WTiat  shall  we  do  now!  colonel  ?" 
^  "Retreat,  sir  ■-retreat,  jj^jjmeatt»;«^  = 


It  was  time  to  give  such  kn  order. 


f  .UjJ.aAi/.'.         K^f*'*.\"l>"iX- J    "V 


i.,«f::Sj' 


4 


J: 


' '  Y      ^' "   -      I  ,      *    -  '  '  '     r . 

\     "  ■  f  K    '  '  '' 


fJ* 


K 


«^ 


'<^' 


The  Defeat  of  Braddock. 


■V'^ 

> 


Out  of  eighty-sjx  officers,  twenty-six  were  Jdlled  and 
thirty-scjen  wounded;  Seven  hundred  an^  fourteen 
privates  were  dead  or  dying  from  their  wounds/^ 

"Retreat,  sir— ijptreat,  by  all  means." 

"We  shall  sdl^be  killed,"  murmured  the  English 
officer. 

"My  Virginians  shall  cover  your  retreat,"  answered 
Washmgton,  proudly. 

Only  thirty  of  his  brave  Virginians  remained  alive, 
but  he  promised  to  qover  the  ffight  of  the  English  army. 

The  order  to  retreat  was  given. 

Artillery,  baggage,  provisions  and  the  general's  pri- 
vate papers  were  left  on  the  field. 

The  savages  scalped  the  dead  and  stripped  the  faUen 
heroes  of  their  clothes. 

Many  an  Indian  returned  to  Fort  du  Qixt&nt  clad  in 
tfie  laced  coats  and  military  boots  of  the  British  officers. 

The  bullets  flew  around  Washington,  but  he  sat  his 
horse  calmly. 

Twice  he  had  to  get  a  fresh  horse,  and  four  times  his 
coat  had  been  torn  with  balls. 

Harry  Leonard  was  by  his  side  all  the  time,  fighting 
like  a  hero.  "  ^ 

Red  Wolf  and  his  bnfVes  were  rapidly  surrounding 
the  Virginians. 

The  Blackfoot  diief  gave  orders  to  his  warriors  to 
Jjl  Washi^^gC^offeiffl^  who 

•ecurediiitfscalp.  ^ 


■.">t«w; 


-iiU- 


'*»i  * 


*\*, 


^HA 


L*? -^        *  w  J 


-X 


The  Pefijtt  of  Braddock. 


^$ 


Once  Red  Wdlf  seized  a  fallen  musket  and  aimed  at 
(  the  Viirginian.  j^ 

Washington  was  off  his  guard.     ^ 

The  report  echoed  among  the  trees,  but,  just  as  Red 
Wo|f  pulled  the  trigger,  a  young  peasant  leaped  out  ot 
the  dense  brush  and  flung  himself  in  front  of  the  col- 
onel, receiving  the  ball  m  his  shoulder.       ^ 

Ws^hington's  life  was  saved^  "  • 

He  stopped  to  look  after  ^  preserver. 

Something  in  the  face  of  the  fain|ed  peasant  caused 
him  to  exclaim :  ' "  ^  - 

"A  woman  I"  '  ^ 

Harry  was  on  his  knees  beside  the  wounded  peasant 
iristantiy,  and  his  tears  fell  fast  as  he  murmured: 

"Marie— poor  Marie,  how  caiiie  you  here?'* 

The  savages  kept  firing  and  closing  in  upon  the  Vir- 
g^ans. 

Harry  lifted  Marie  le  Fabre  in  his  arms  and  ran 
after  the  fleeing  army,  never  feeling  the  burden  he  was 
calTyih|g^. 

He  ran  for  nearly  a  mile  before  he  dropi^cd  ex- 
hausted on  the  roadside,  just  as  an  Indian  crept  throt|g|» 
the  brush  and  exclaimed  in  broken  JEnglish : 

"Me  hab  two  scalps  I— me  heap  rich  r 


A 


-\  '%- 


'i 


J 


.^^fcsffi^iili. 


V    .  V     '^i. 


.  '  ■''■\:V!/;^i»^'T^'i'A^rX^^'lg^ 


/-   ! 


CHAPTER  IX. 


harje'sstory. 

Had  the  French  and  their  Indian  allies  pursued  the 
fleeing,  panic-stricken  English,  the  little  band  of  Vir- 
ginians would  have  been  unable  to  withstand  them,  and 
it  is  very  improbable  that  one  Virginian  would  have 
remained  alive,  and  ^e  history  of  the  world  would  have 
been  written  differently. 

As  we  look  back,  we  tremble  to  think  what  mighV 
have  been  the  fate  of  this  great  nation,  had  George 
Washington  been  killed  while  coverihg  the  retreat  of 
y     Braddock's  regulars. 

Fortunately,  the  instinct  of  the  Indian  was  at  fault, 
and  his  love  of  scalps  overcame  his  usual  clear-sighted- 
ness. 

There  were  hundreds  of  dead  and  wounded,  and 
every  Indian  felt  that  the  scalps  must  be  taken. 
Even  then  there  wjfre  a  few  of  the  savages  who 
__.  .**^<*"&^t  it  derogatorJto  their  dignity  to  scalp  dead 
:      men,  but  they  were  ift/the  minority. 

Red  Wolf  led  his/  men  back  to  the  scene  of  the 
slaughter,  and  the  work  of  blood  commenced. 
Frendhmen,  as  well  as  English  and  Colonials,  lost 


"^eir  seaTpg,  and  the  fearful  whoopTngs  of  the  savages 


X; 


t 


.>„,. 


y  '    ^i&ii!   *4,^ 


ti^ 


«3 


H-\ 


yr 


■W;. 


"itff 


Marie's  Story. 


""■^''^iil'llWtf' 


57 


told  of  the  dexterity  with  which  the  coveted  prizes  were  " 
secured. 

Washington  waited  wntil  he  was  sure  that  the  French 
and  their  allies  had  give  up  pursuit. 

"Men,  you  have  covered  yourselves  with  glory,"  he 
said ;  "we  have  done  our  duty,  we  have  served  our  king 
and  our  country.  It  only  remains  for  us  to  retire  in 
good  order." 

What  an  exahiple  to  set  to  the  English  regulars  I 
They  had  fled  pdnic-stricken ;  the  Virginians  stood 
thdr  ground  and  retreated  in  solid  column. 
What  magnificent  courage  I 

What  splendid  daring  1  "  ^'  i 

England?  itself,  jealous  as  it  was  of  the  colonies,  had      , 
to  admit  that  Washington  saved  the  remnant  of  Brad- 
<^'8  army,  and  that,  although  only  twenty-three  years 
Old,  he  had  proved  himself  possessed  of  invincible 
courage.    The  orderly  retreat  of  the  Virginians  com-      ' 
menced.  p  * 

The  men  Were  too  brave  to  march  fast.  . 

Washington's  horse,  the  third  he  had  ridden  that 
eventful  day,  had  hurt  its  ankle,  and  he,  with  innate 
kindness,  was  walking  at  its  head,  leading  it  gently 
along  the  road.        '^ 

"Me  hab  two  «calps  I  me  heap  rich !" 

The  Indian  looked  down  on  the  unconscious  forms 
of  Harr]^  Leonard  and  Mari&fe  F^ibre^aad  repeated- 
words  with  a  merry  chuckle. 


■•^A^m^ij^  .  ■'■ 


\. 


^ 


Maiid's  Stoiy. 


V 


His  voice  was  too  loud,  his  nuuiner  too  triumphant, 
for  the  still  air  bore  the  words  and  carried  them  to  the 
^ars  of  Washington. 

In  an  instant  he  was  in  the  saddle,  and  a  minute 
broug^hkrfia  aight  of  the  gloating-savage. 

Quick  as  the  Indian  is  by  nature,  that  particular  one 
was  so  engrossed  with  the  prospect  of  getting  the  two 
scalps  that  he  did  not  see  the  Virginiaji. 


Washington  bore  down  upon,  him,  and  with  light- 
ning-like rapidity  ,he  struck  down  the  wva^  and  res- 
cued his  young  friends. 

Harry  had  just  recovered  consciousneM  as  Washing- 
ton rode  up. 

"You  have  saved  our  lives!"  exclaimed  Harry,  en- 
thusiastically. ^/ 

"Yes,  I  thjrfc  I  have;  but  I  have  been  more  ^vored 
than  your  friend.  She  saved  my  life,  and  risked  her 
own." 

Gently  they  lifted  Marie  and  pIsAied  her  on  an  im- 
provised litter,  which  willing  hands  carried. 

There  was  not  a  man  hiit  wjould  have  given  his  life 
for  her,  for  shiQ  had  sav<Jd  their  beloved  leader. 

The  little  band  reached  Fort  Necessity  without  fur- 
ther mishap. 

Gen.  Braddock  was-  dyin^,  and  he  sent  for  Wash- 
ington. ■  '   ^       ,  .  ; 

"Gotonel,  you  weif^Srig^t.    We  did  not  know  how  to 


-fight  savagesr-Wr^slatl.kiiSsvbettw  time' 


'A. 


lUfe 

1                 •       5 

1 

fur- 

^ash- 

i 

w  to 

- 

i 
J- 

/ 

4- 

~./I           , 

i^M 

^ 


A 


Maric'i  Story.  ^         -59 


^,    „  .,    V  »  i^*  J 


f  lv3%. 


The  Virginian  showed  no  resentment,  but  nursed  the 
dyincr  Englishman  as  though  h^  had  been  his  brother. 

"I  have  written  home,"  said  the  general;  '1  have 
advise^j^ljiovemment  to  place  a  oskmsal  at  the  head 

O^nll^sed  himself  and  looked  steadfastly  at 

his  aifflP- -^iP  ■  . 

"Ytm^e  a  Virginian,  but  your  ano@||Qi£wer«-^&^ 
lish  The  said. 

**Ye8,  general.  My  family  came  from  Salgraye,  in 
Northamptonshire." 

"Go  there,  colonel.  Your^Jdng  will  knight  yon,  win 
give  you  honors  you  cannot  dream  of.  England  is  the 
place  for  you."   '  ^ 

"No,  general ;  I  should  die  there.  I  wattt  the  vast 
.expanse  of  forest,  the  broad  lands,  the  great  moun- 
tains, the  pure  air  of  jp^  native  land.  I  want  no 
knighthood;  I  want  ^P^the  right  which  freedom 
gives."    ;■  \'. 

"Well^  well,  I  know  not  what  makes  you  colonials  so 
stu^y,  but  we  are  beaten^we  shall— know— betters. 
next^*4ime.  How  dark  it  i»-^I  fed  sleepy-^I— shall--- 
know — better " 

The  sentences  were  disjcnnted,  tibe  wor<6  scarcely 
more  tiian  whispered.  ~ 

Braddock  put  out  his  hand  to  take  Washington's* 
The  Virginian  felt  a  slight  tremor,  a  quick.  conYtilsivw 
«lnq;>,  and  alt  was  oveiC  ,^- 


A      L 


^ 


« 


'  /.'^ 


K  4 


60 


Marie's  Story. 


The  English  general  wafi  dead. 

Buried  dose  to  Fort  Necessity,  no  stone  marks  the 
place,  but  many  who  heard  his  prophecy  that  Washing- 
ton could  have  honors  if  he  chose,  in  years  after  paid 
visits  to  his  grave,  recognizing  him  as  one  who  appre- 
ciated the  honest  worth  of  the  great  American. 

The  surgeon  examined  Marie's  wound  and  rejoiced 
all  hearts  by  his  positive  assurance  that  it  was  not  dan- 
gerous, and  would  scarcely  be  troublesome. 

When  she  wasj  stronger  she  told  her  story  with 
charming  naivete. 

"After  you  had  gone  Red  Wolf  recovered  from  his 
fright,"  she  said,  "and  he  used  the  most  awful  lan- 
guage. Father  ordered  him  begone,  but  he  would  not 
go.  Instead,  he  gave  his  warriors  permission  to  loot 
the  place. 

"We  lost  everything— chickens,  pigs,^  sheep,  all  we 
possessed ;  but  that  was  not  all.    Pe  was  not  satisfied." 

"What  dDuld  lie  want?"  asked  Harry. 

Mari|  blushed,  adding  to  her  prettiness,  as  she  an- 
swered :  *' 


^■ 


'•> 


"Me." 

"What?"  '' 

"Yes ;  Red  Wolf  said  he  had  long  sought  a  paleface 


n 


*;But  you  are  but  a  child,"  ^id  Harryj  p«troniringly, 
^      ^   "  *^^M^  ^^  ""g^^  ^*^^  been  an  elderly  person, 
*1  Sn  iiixteen,  sir,"  she  answered,  proudly. 


proudly.    "And 


%■ 


f 


I . 


^^  '^ 


■*., 


■  ^"l  (•     I 


rfi^ 


A  i  '^ 


' 


< 


Marie's    Story. 


SS«i. 


6 1 


^ 


Red  Wolf  did  not  think  me  a  child.    He  asked— no,  he 
demanded— that  I  should  be  dven  to  him.    Father  ob-. 
jected,  mother  cried,  and  RecfWolf  laughed. 

"Then  the  savage  threatened,  and  so  did  I.  H?  said 
he  would  kill  my  father  and  mother,  and  I  replied  that 
I  wouH-idll  him. 

"Father  urged  me  to  silence,  but  I  was  angry,  and 
kept  on  talking.  , 

"You  wonder  at  my  telling  you  so  calmly,  but  all  my 
heart  was  crushed  that  day,'  and  I  have  had  no  emo- 
tional feeling  since." 

"Poor  Marie!"  / 

"Don't  sqy  that  I  want  no  pityUnot,  at  least,  until 
Red  Wolf  is  dead.  Some  of  thel  warriors  left  flieir 
chiefs  ^d  we  learned  the  reason  soto  enough,  for  the 
smoke  issued  from  the  windows,  andWprctty  house 
was  burned,     -r 

V  "I  did  cry  then ;  it  was  the  last  time.  Father  rushed 
toward  the  house  to  try  and  put  out  the  fire,  but  a  sav- 
age redskin  struck  him  'down  with  his  musket,  and 
poor  father  never  spoke  again." 

"And  your  mother,  what  of  her?" 

"The  sight  of  poor  father's  death  made  her  crazy, 
and  she  ran  straight  into  the  burning  house— and— and 
—I  have  not  seen  her  since." 

The  giri's  frame  shook  with  a  convulsive  sob,  but 
-fheovercame  her  emotion  and-contiftued: 


"I  ran  into  the  woods  and  escaped.    Som^mes  I 


V  :4 


4l,     ,.s 


,Hr?f    ' 


4  *  -.,1 


V  ,  .-   -.-^.i*.  -.^.J     <M 


;.-^--^. 


fT 


'*a.  s 


62 


Marie's  Stoty. 


slept  in  the  trees,  high  up  among  the  branches;  then, 
When  I  was  cold,  I  would  get  on  the  ground  and  {Hie 
the  leaves  over  me." 

"I  wandered  about  anyhere,  doing  chores  for  old 
women,  ^t  I  might  get  something  to  eat,  and-— well, 
the  time  passed.  One  day  I  saw  a  dead  boy;  I  was 
afraid  to.  look  at  him  for  fear  it  might  be  you.  But 
when  I  saw  it  was  not,  I  grew  more  bold  and  took  off 
his  clothes,  and — ^well,  these  are  the  clothes  he  wore." 

Marie  pointed  to  the  masculine  raiment,  smiling  as 
she  did  so. 
^  "What  are  you  gdng  to  do  now  V*  asked  Harry, 

"Fight— I  wiU  fight  with  the  English."    * 

"No^  Marie,  that  would  be  wrong,  very  wrong,  for 
the  French  are  your  own  people,  bear  in  mind, 
and- 


M 


ltd  fi^." 

:'s  pitnul 


"Red  Wolf  isn't,  and  it  is.the  Indians  I  would  fi{ 

When  Harry  told  CcJ.  Washington  Marie'i 
story,  his  manly  heart  was^  touched. 

"I  will  ask  her  to  go  to  my  home  and  stay  there  a 
.time.    T  have  "a  friend,  Mistress  Martha  Custis,  who 
would  welcome  her  as  a  daughter,  if  she  will  but  con- 
sent to  accept  hei;  hospitality." 

Harry  was  profuse  in  his  thanks  to  the  noble  Vir- 
ginian, Ind  Marie  wept  when  the  offer  was  made  to  her. 

Those  tears  brought  back  all  the  feminine  instincts 
of  her  nature,  and  she  shrank  with  horror  from  tile 


thought  of  bloodshfd. 


1 


t'T"' 


\^i 


'*,.    '      I 


\  j,    *  ^     ^     i'^x     \%i^^- 


"iwt^ 


m 


CHAPTER  X. 

A  ftUAKER's  "soft  ANSWER." 

"What  do  you  int<!lid  doing,  Harry?"  asked  Wash- 
ington, some  days  later.  ^- 

^I^ican  hardly  say,  colonel.    I  would  like  to  fight  Red 
Wolf,  but  he  ijas  gone  North." 

"TBen  why  not  go  North  also?**  \   . 

"Do  yd^  advise  me  to  do  so  ?" 

"I  would  like  to  have  you  with  me,  but  It  will  be  a 
hard  and  inglorious  life.  We  shall  b/ engaged  fighting 
the  Indians,  aad  you  know  what  that  means.  They 
will  not  come  into  the  open;  they  will  bum  a  house, 
and  massacre  its  inmates,  but  like  thetlightning  Qs^ 
they  will  be  away  b«fore  we  can  come  up  with  them.  '^ 

"Do  you  think  that  there  will  be  war  in  the  Norths 
"War?    tes,  long,  fi|rce  and  terrible.    England  and- 
France  will  struggle  for  the  mastery,  and  the  coloiiiste 
will  have  to  fight  to  R|ptect  their  homes." 

"I  do  not  want  to  fight  with  the  regulars ;  such  men 
as  Braddock  would  make  me  mutiny,  and  Dunbar 
would  drive  me  crazy."        ^ 

'Hush,  Harry !    These  men  were  the  officers  of  the 
long.   It  is  treason  to  spgak  pf  thrm  Kkr  that ; 
one  of  tiian  is  dead." 


■,^^'jgM^^il^,&ii.f 


.1I> 


mm 


^f- 


V- 


/i' 


■/■>. 


64 


A  Quaker's  "Soft  Answer." 


\ 


i«%    -,.■ 


^"I  know  it;  he  died  because  he  would  not  listen  to 
you.",  •  .      /  '.  "' 

"Hush !  Say  nothing  but  good  of  the  dead,  my 
boy."  -  'I     '        V     ■  ■—  ' 

"Do'you  advise*|fte  to  join  the  English  army?" 

"No,  Harry,  Heaven,  forbid !  The  French  are 
strongly  intrenched  along  the  banks  of  Lake  Hcwicon, 
or,  as  the  French  dall  it,  the  Lake  of  the  Blessed  Sacra- 
ment, and  at  Niagara.  The  colonies  of  Massachusetts, 
Connecticut  and  Ntw  York  will  raise  armies  to  drive 
the  French  north  ^f  the  lakes.  I  will  give  you  a  let-  . 
ter  to  Gov.  Shirley,  of  Massachusetts,  and  to  AVilliam 
Johnson,  of  N^w  York,  if  you  would  like  to  see  actual 
warfare." 

"I  will  go."  ■      \ 

**Did  you  say  Red  Wolf  has  gone?" 

"Yes,  he  is  the  bearer  of  messages  to  the  French 
commander  at  a  place  c?illed  Crown  f*pint."         * 

"That  is  on  Lake  Champlain." 

"Do  you  think  the  Indians  will  oppose  us  there?" 

**No ;  the  Five  Nations  are  friendly,  and  William 
Johnson  was,  or  is,  a  commissioner  to  the  Indians,  and 
uraversally  liked.  Get  the  best  horse  you  can  and  start 
at  once."  7 

Harry  was  delighted.  He  was  full  of  youthful  ei^ 
thusiasm,  and  predicted  a  triumphant  march  into 
Canada.  - 


,t  >» 


•■Jf.        ^         V,vlf' 


V-,.,j,'1i)       <.    >%. 


f^-XI*- 


t   t'' 


'Y 


A^Quaker's  "Soft  Answer.' 


6S 


King  Geoi^ge  congratulating  him  on^  his  bravery,  ancl 
by  day  he  was  wondering  whether  he  would  have  to 
dress  in  English  uniform,  ^nd  whether  he  would  rfse 
to  be  a  general.  '  f 

Don't  blaqie  him  for  these  dreams  of  greatness ;  we 
all  have  them  at  times.  '^ 

A  few  days  and  Harry  Leonard,  dressed  in  a  good 
buckskin  suit  and  seated  oh  as  good  a  horse  as  could 
be  found  in  all  Virginia,  started  for  the  North. 

He  was  particularly  fitted  for  such  warfare  as  he 
would  be  engaged  in,  for  his  life  had  been  spent  in  the 
midst  o£rsavage  Indians. 

On  his  way  he  fell  in  with  a  Quaker,  who  was  op- 
posed to  all  war. 

Harry  had  but  little  experience  witfi  these  peculiar 
people,  and  did  not  realize  that  they  were  absc^utely 
opposed  to  resistance. 

"Friend,  thou  are  carnal  in  J||  tastes,"  he  said  to 

"ierhaps  so,  but  so  would  yqu  be  if  you  had  suf- 
fered as  I%ave  done."  j 

"Naj,  it  ^4ritten,  'Th^sh^lt  forgive  thine  cn^ 
mies.*"    .  ffif    ,    '"^  WSk     "' 

"I  will  forgive  aH  but  one,  and  that  one  t^ll  for- 
give after  I  have  shot  him,  and  will  ask  God?tp  hm 
mercy  On  his  soul.*'  >       '       ^^ 

'^^  ^^  ^"*°g'  ^^^^'    '^^  thffli  gncmv  smite  ^»^ 


on  the  righj  cheek,  turn  thy  left  to  him  Wsa*;' 


ly'^'  ^. 


# 


.1 


■:*f!jLSv«i.Jf  ,'^'U«^,  ,,''!       il\>L,. 


^v 


:iy..i  .  ,i' 


•1^ 


"^  '>^^TV<i;^' 


A  Quaker's  "Soi 

■^ — '%':  .,.-.  . — ^ — ir 

%      "Norfmudi, 
th^dirdi^of 


B]%dbt 
k  peaceftd  ^iis  of  Ui< 

"^'  '  'V.<^  ^  Q^^#4kW^  -that 

txm,  and  iiip  even  now  Iputl^pyii^^  ^^uiyf 


s 


It^*- 


journey  was  most  tedious  for  the  way  lay 
rtnigh  forests  and  a^oss  rough,  mid  lind. 
/I||la8  fraught  with  dang^  jis  well,  for  in  Pennsyl- 
;•  vania  a  few  roving  hands  a^|tftvages  were  to  be  met 
^th,  and  they  i^ere  even  mre  lawless  than  those 
♦  ^farther  west.  «      r 

The  Quaker  professed  tiiat  UStre  was  no  need  for 
force,  even  if  Indians  were  met  ^th.    "A  soft  answer/' 
he  siiid,  '"tumeth  aw^y  wrath."     . 
-.  "Friend,  you   can   use   the  »soft   answer,"  replied 
Harry,  'ibut  I  shall  depend  more  on  my  rifle  and  the 
good  pistol  in  my  l^ter."  > 
For  several  days  ^e  journey  was  a  pleasant  one. 
It  was  early  in  the  morning  of  the  dampest,  foggiest 
an^  most  miserable .  day  they  hajd  encountered  that 
Hanys  quidc  ear. detected  the  soimd  of  Indian  moc- 


L- 


iZ 


casins.. 
"Triend  Broadblint,  thy  so: 
hiispered.       |' 
bullet  passe<^  betw< 
hirrid^  souhd  convi 
an  enehiy 


V. 


:er  may  be  needed," 


and  the  Quaker,  and 
that  its  message 


V*„.:m^iM&     h- 


'  ^'t-r,.^*i-«.      L^'.ll^;'  "' ^  i     k^*      Vl«i-tSfi*V   * 


■I 


'jj.i-.^s  ^'^'^  : 


"tvu 


''W'''':'''^'i0''\ 


A  Quakcifs  "Spft  AhsWer.'V 


67 


'--^'  -Vi 


ISl 


Harry  suggested  rising  as  f a^  as  possible,  as  the 
pdds  would  be  unpleasant. 
"It  is  better  to  flee,'^  said  Broadbrim,  "than  to  fight." 
The  horses  bounded  byer  the  hard  ground  at  i  speed 
which  would  do  credit  to  racers,  but  the  Quaker's  horse, 
in  taking  a  small  dyke,  slipped,  or  miscalculated  the 
distance,  throwing  Broadbrim  over  its  head  ^d  land- 
ing him,  in  soft  mtid.  '". 
'  He  had  managed  to  scramble  to  his  feet  .before 
Harry  knew  of  the  accident. 

Our  hero  could  not  resist  laughing,  for  a  more'  amus- 
ifig  object  could  not  be  imagined  than  that  Quaker. 

"My  hors^Kath  taken  itself  away,"  said  Broadbrimi 
looking  tound  for  his  steed. 

The  hors^  was  quietly  feeding  a  little  distance  away, 
and  Harry  had  no  difficulty  in  catching  it.     Before 
^^i  9'"<>^b"m  could  mount,  Harry  had  his  gun  in  readi- 
ness, for  he  sa^  a  lurking  Indian  behind  a  tree. 
"What  would  you  advise  me  to  do?"  he  asked. 
'Triend,  if  I  were  thee,  I  would  shoot,  but  I  have  no 
weapon ;  my  religion  forbiddeth  such  carnal  things." ; 
however,  did  not  shoot;  he  urged  his  horse 
ov^.tl|«fi«:round,  and  was  quickly  followed  by  the 
Quaker. 

"They  are  feends,  thq»  aicst, 
^    *I  am  nbt  so  iure^" 

Itt  ttjiey  iiavejjut  fifed.*! 


¥'  r 


^ 

"S 


-r 


o,  they  ngy  be  awaiting  us  in  front" 


•-^"'* 


I    bv 


'^ 


> 


•■aJ^'^ 


\.-r      V  :t 


i  ..    ..».t.V>.V.'.   r.«(f 


/ 


./'■ 


'^•-r-t' 


i.--;1- 


r^ 


I  / 


/■ 


68 


A  Quaker's   "Soft  Answer." 


"Don't  say  s6.  I  am  a. man  of  peace,  and  thy  words 
alami  me."  ' 

He  had  another  cause  for  alarm  very  soon. 

A  bafid  of  pointed  savages  emerged-irom  the  shelter 
l^f  the  wood,  and,  brandishing  their  tomahawks,  began 
to  close  in  pn  the  two  men.      . 

Broadbribi  was  trembling.  ^  s 

"Friends,  I  am  a  man  of  peace,"  he  commenced,  but 
the  Indians  were^  getting  nearer  every  minute,  and  the 
Quaker  valued  his  scalp. 

"If  I  were  thee,  friend  Leonard,  I  would  fire  tiiy 
carnal  weapon." 

It  was  tihpleasant  to  be  surrounded  by  twenty*howl- 
ing,  whooping  Indians,  and  have  as  a  companion  a 
man  who  hesitated  to  take  human  life. 

"Thou  canst  fire  and  I  can  load#hilst  thou  does  use    ^ 
thy  pistol."  \  ' 

»     That  was  a  concession. 

Harry  discharged  his  rifle,  and  had  the  satisfacticm  of 
•  killing  the  chief,  whose  body  was  almost  covered  with      ^ 
scalps  <taken  "by  him.  ,  / 

The  puaker  took  the  rifle  and  loaded  it  as  dexter- 
ously as  any  soldier  could  do.        \  <    ,  ^ 

To  Harry's  surprise,  the  Quaker  fired  at  an  Indian  jp 


who Jiad  come  unpleasantly*  close.  -        / 

"Frieira  Leonard,  thy  weapon  hath  a  trick  of  going 


The  savages  were  held  at  bay  for-  several  minutes, 


i^... 


W'f'Wif  '1J'Y?'''^P?'T''^  r" ' 


■T./-,>*fc* 


f 


% 


A  Quaker's  "Soft  /Answer." 


i 


V 


•^ 

*' 


<9 


but  itVas  not  difficult  to- predict  the  result,  i^  the  urn 

foreseen  had  not  happened.  ^       ' 

Broadbrim^  had  caught  sjght  of  a  fallen  tomahawk.*  | 
Quick  as  a  flash  he  had  bent  down  over  his  horse 

and  secured  the  weapon. 
"Come,  friend  Leonard,  let  us  fly  from  these  ba<^ 

people?' 

The  Quaker  urged  his  horse  forward  t«r  where  the! 
savages  were  thickest,  and  faid  about  him  s6  deftly  with 
the  tomahawk  that  many  a  brave  bit  the  dust.   .  , 

Harry  did  not  wait  to  load  his  rifle,  bit  used  it  as  a 
club.  Its  ponderous  weight  made  but  lit^  effort  neces- 
sary to  crush  the  skulls  of  those  unfortunat^jfegh  to 
get  within  reach.  *  ^5^ 

Broadbrim  sat  his  horse  like  a  centaur,  making  it 
plunge  and  rear  in  such  a  fashion  that  the  Indians 
were  afraid  to  approach  too  near. 

The  arrival  of  two  other  horsemen  made  the  savages, 
think  it  better  to  retreat,  leaving  nine  of  their  number 
dead  or  dying,  while  Harry  and  th^ApJita-  escaped 
without  any  seipous  wound.  '  W^ 

"The  weapon  of  the  ungodly  did  rous*  the  old  Adam 
in  me,"  explained  Broadbrim,  "and  thou  didst  see  I 
was  carried  aw^y  and  ^dst  u^e  the  weapon  of  the  un- 
righteous." 

'You  saved  lour  scalps." 

"^»^  I?    Dost  thou  really  think  that  mit^^  arm  ^^ 


good  serxicei 


%*. 


sii- 


'j^t 


Bittle  of  Fort  WilKam  Henry. 

"I  never  saw  a  man  fight  better.        -         -^ 
"The  holy  book  doth  say,  'Resist  the  devil  and  he  ^  ^ 
will  flee  frc^j|ilwpr'T^nly;^esis|e.d,  and  the  redskin%/^^ 
did  flee."  *       *  ! 


..•f . 


"Tf" 


.lit 


•l^|* 


4iy 


CHAPTEjpr"  Xl.         y 

^.  THE  BATTLE  OF  FORT  William  HENRY. 

!l  From  Albany^  Where  Harry  parte(y|uth  Ithe 

he  had  to  journey  alone.    The  army  1^  moved  up 

% .   Hudson  to  a  spot  which  Was  then  called  the  Great 

*%ying  Place,  and  Col.  Lyman  set  to  work  to  erect  a 

lort,  whicl^  his  men  named  Fort  LymsMO^in  his  honor,, 

Iwt  wbidi  ilOchown  to^%  as  F^rt  Edward. 

Jlai^  was  looked  u^f»i  with  suspicion,  as  he  was 

better  dressed  „than  the  m^ority  of  colonials. 

i  l^e  presented  his  tetter  tp  Goi.  William  Johnson, 

warmij^^eceivedj^/     '«»;      -     i    , 
\^  "There  is  ilot^^mpijn  fhf  ortihtrjfl'TOild  rather 
servf  tfiian  dii$  ntm  George  Washi%toh,''  said  John- 


son.   '-Yc 


|ve  seen  service?" 


/ NTKes,  si^^withBr^dock."      f 

'*Ahr-,:^        -        ^  .     .  :i                      .  ^ 
"And  I  have  seen  other  engagements  with  Indians." 
Can  you  scpnt?"  . ^ 


;  \ 


.J 


Harry  blushe^^  for  he  was  hoping  he  would  be  at-^ 


'> 


■M'- 


»#v 


'.*^ 


\ 


fe^y^>  'f  i^iP 


?A'-"'"<I 


-I 


f    ^  f  *v  .-^T?    'I 


*? 


^iS'- 


The  Battle  of  Fort  William  Henry,      71 

tached  to  a  scouting  party  rather  than  with  the  regu- 
lars, s, 

"I  was  bom  in  the  wilds  of  Western  Virginia,  and 
can  follow  a  trail  as  silently  as  an  Indian." 

"Good!    What  rank  had  you  in  Braddbck's  army?" 
"I  had  n<me ;  I  was  unattached,  but  t  was  called  lieu^ 
tenant  €y  courtesy."  ' 

.'"Then  you  will  take  the  rank  of, first  lieutenant;  I 
will  see  that  yotir  comnussion  is  made  out  at  once." 

A  scouting  party  of  frioidly  Mohawks  had  just  re- 
turned from  Canada  with  tiie  news  that  the  Frendi 
were  about  to  send  a  Ikrge  force  to  Crown  Pdnt,  and 
thence  march  to  Albany. 

Johnson  ordered  hts  colonials  to  be  ready  to  march 
to  Lake  Horicon.  , 

What  a  motley  crowd  it  was !  ^ 

No  uniforms — ^not  even  the  o^icers  had  a  regular 
dress— but  all  were  clothed  in  the  garb  they  tvorp  at 
home.  ^hm   ■      *' 

The  weapons  were  as  diversmpi  the  clothes. 
y^  Axs  and  hatchets,  carving  knives,  as  well  as  tfie 
more  formidable  hunting  knives,  were  sttick  in  their 
belts;  guns,  old  and  new;  pistols,  some  of  which  had 
not  been  fired  for  years ;  but  what  mattered  the  weapons 
when  all  were  filled  with  enthusiasm  bordering  on 
fanatidsm?  . 


■%»: 


<A. 


TliFmarch  to  Horicon  wa«  Aroo^  dense  forots 


^^C 


'^'^r^it^i  /{'(^s)^  k^Wf'l^'/^'li  fy^^  ''tf 


/// 


r-K 


7a      The  Battle  of  Fort  William  Heniy. 


never  before  trodden  by  white  men,  save,  mayhap,  by  a 
solitary  hunter.  ^ 

It  was  fourteen  milfs,  or  so  from  Fort  Lyman  to  th^ 
lake,  and  the  men  were  as  weary  as  though  the  dis-^ 
tance  had  been  three  times  as  much. 

They  set  to  work  to  clear  enough  space  for  their 
camp,  and  Johnson,  with  his  own  hands,  unfurled  the 
flag  of  England,  and  let  its  folds  flaunt  over  the  beauti- 
ful, clear  water. 

He  called  his  men  together,  and,  in  a  very  high- 
faluting  style,  harangued  them: 

"This  water  hath  been  called  by  our  enemy  the  Lac 
du  St.  Sacrament,  and,  by  the  Five  Nations,  Horicon. 
I,  by  authority  vested  in  me,  order  that  henceforth  it 
shall  bear  the  name  of  our  king,  and  this  water  shall 
be  called  Lake  George." 

The  soldiers  cheered.  To  them  it  seemed  a  harbin- 
ger of  victory. 

The  clear  water— the  clearest  of  any  lake  we  have 
ever  seen-^reflected  the  cross  of  St.  George  and  St. 
Andrew,  which,  blended,  formed  the  flag  of  England, 
and  a  victory  was  achieved. 

But  Johnson  was  not  satisfied  with  that. 

"I  intend  going  down  this  lake,"  he  said,  **with  ii 
part  of  the  army,  and  take  post  at  the  end  of  it,  at  a 
called  Ticonderogue.  there  to  await  the  (OTming  of 


the  rest  of  the  army,  ai^  then  attack  Crown  Point." 


f  -^ 


/' 


'j^       \  r' 


I  .*■ 


ft. 


The  Battle  of  Fort  William  Wcniy.      73 

Johnson  h^d  not;talculated  on  the  pertinacity  of  the 
French.  V 

He  was  resting  and  taking  things  easily;  while  Baron. 
Dieskau,  with  ei^ht  hundred  regulars  and  six  hundred 
Indians,  advanced  to  attack  Fort  Lyinan. 

Fortunately  for  the  English,  some  of  Dieskau> 
Indians  belonged  to  the  great  league  of  j  the  Iroquois, 
and  when  within  a  short  distance  of  ihe  fort;0iey  rec* 
ognized  some  Mohawks  with  whom  they  were  at  peacc^ 
and  refused  to  attack, the  fort.         ,  (  /  : 

Dieskau  then  changed  his  route  aiid  headed  his  cc4* 
umn  for  the  lake^    ,  , 

Harry  had  been  out  in  the  forest;  and  rctume4  hur- 
riedly to  acquaint  Johnson  with  Dieskau's  march. 

Col.  Ephraim  Williams,  at  the  head  of  a  thousand 
\^^nglish,  and  the  Chief  Hendrick  of  the  Iroquois,  set 
h^\  to  meet  the  French  forces.  - 

^e  Fr^ch  opep^  fire  at  oncel  ^  ,  •' 

V  M)I.  Wiilkm^  was^^^  the  bpemn^  of 

the  battle,  and  Chief  Hendrick  lived  oiily  a  le#  min- 
utes^ lo^r,o^'^'-  >> ••'    ;,>  '.-.  ':'■',.  ;■; • ' ":•;..  ■  ■:-^?-'::.}[^ V 

1^^  fled,  but  speedily  rallied,  and  retreated 

inj^^^jNlMy.ms^^  ,•■  /  ,       [y^/'-'\.':ir-:  ■ 

'^tfe^lfi,  the  French  are  oMning  here,"  cried  Hprry, 
as  he  ran  itito  the  clearing.  "■■       ^>f  ' 

**What!  Have  they  not  been  met  by  WtUiama  and 
the*iroqaoiff  chteff*  V*  ^- — 


■'  'A 


m 

/,«[ 


"Williams  is  dead  and  so  is  Hendrick."^ 


■\ 


/■/ 


k/ ■■"■'-.   '^...'■r 


■^ 


^t:^,> 


74      The  Battle  of  Fort  William  Henry. 


*»• 


:     .     "And "       '  . 

\    .     "Our  men  are  retreating."  .  .y 

i   V    "What  shall  we  do?" 

It  was  the  general  asking  die  lieuten^t  for  advice, 
\    the  superior  and  experienced  learning  from  the  junior 
.  i    and  inexperienced. 
J      **Throw  up  barricades  at  once."  ,. 

_\      "1  never  thought  of  it.    M^,  let  all  the  tree  fellert 
gather  the  fallen  trees  and  make  breastworks."' 

"If  we  can  have  but  a  few  hours,  "we  ,can  save  our- 

^ves  "  said  Harry^  who  was  fast  becoming  the  ruling 

spirit;  .  ^  ;     .-- 

Even  Johnson  was  sliffering  from  the  panic.      '  j, 

Higher  and  higher  rose  the  breastjworkf  on  ^ree| 
sides,  leaving  that  facing  the  lake  open.  ':.''■<■ 

Firing  was  heard.    The  rattle  of  musketry,  cat 
men  to  work  faster  and^nore  efficiently.  '*' 

The  crashing^f  the  bn^h*  the  breaking  of  the  young 
tro^,  heralded  the  ai^roach  of  the  retrea^ng  Englishj    : 
who  clambered  over  the  breastworks  and  f  eU  pell-mell  .f 
Sv       hito  the  midst  of  their  friends.      ^         tfi     ,     .  ^. 

l^e  Indians  with  the  Frencli  skulked  in  the  S^amp^ ; 

the  fight  was  not  to  their  likings    Tl)e  French  Malted* 

.^  ,       and  that  gave  the  colonials tiitie  to  complete  thieir  fort' 

Jobns^'s  love  of  Self,  his^^^oisQi,  was  matchless. 


v 

) 

t 

if' 

;:^' 

4 

1 

»•- 

h'  . 

• 

• 

\. 

i 

•♦•', 


•« 


.^ 


precious,  he  called  oo  the  ni^.|&'|;ive  a  nime  ti>  thft 


#•■'■    t 


..  *  I 


V 


wf,     ^ 


'.:; 


The  Battle  of  Fort  William  Henry.      7^ 


^-  ,*    i 


*. 


fort,  and  his  trusty  aide  suggested  that  it  should  be 
called  Fort  William  Henry. 

•  ■...■''to 

TlJe  English  flag  waved  above  it  as  the  French,  un- 
der £|eskau,  marched  through  the  forest  to' attack  the 
new  fort.  / 

The  attack  was  spirited,  the  defense  stubborn.       ^ 
The  sun  had  reached  the  meridian  when  the  first 
gun  was  fired,  and  it  had  passed  that  line  four  hours 
before  either  side  showed  signs  of  exhaustion. 

The  Connecticut  men  fought  with  sudi  stoutness 
tfiat  Dieskau  declared  he  never  saw  such  courage. 

G)l.  Titcomb,  of  Massachusetts,  was  Idtled  early  in 
the  day,  and  Gen.  Johnson  was  suffering  from  a  flesh 
WQund.  .,»  .        "  b 

Difskau  exposed  himself  within  shot  range  of  the 
fort,  and  Harry  Leonard  fired  at  so  good  a  target,  lodg^ 
Ing  a  bullet  ijj  the  French  officer's  0iigb. 

Montreuil  took  tfie  coSnmand  and  shouted: 
.     "Men,  avenge  th|.  wounding  of  your  chief  I'* 

His  men  rallie^^d  again  attacked  the  fort,  but  Ly- 
man,  who  was  now  m  command,  was  too  able  a  gen- 
eral and  the  French  began  to  retreat.     '*  .      ^ 

Ha?Ty  was  standing  on  the  top  of  the  fort  and  wnk 
the  flight  of  the  foe,  ;     -        / 

'  "Boys,  tbeyarci,  fining:  ^  let  u^  fblto*  tha^fnd 

-4Fiv|  tlieavback  t&Dt^ada.^"^^^^^ -' — l^-^-- ^^^iL 

"^e  U904  x>f  the  ^qoki^sts  iintf  at  boi^  hqrt^ 


'M 


■'^  » 


5 


^' 


-  ^> 


% 


\ 

•  >  ■ 


♦..«.. 


,r 


76 


Johnson's  Success. 


They  began  clambering  over  the  breastworks,  and 
as  Harry  again  called  to  them,  a  wild  cheer  rent  the  air. 

"Follow  me,  boys,"  cried  the  intrepid  young-  scout, 
"and  victory  shall  be  ours  I" 


f  \- 


CHAPTER  Xn. 
i 

Johnson's,  success. 

Harry's  enthusiasm  was  contagious ;  no  sooner  had  he 
uttered  the  spirited  words  than  a  hundred  leaped  the 
breastworks,  prepared  to  follow  his  example. 

Among  thfe  first  to  join  the  intrepid  young  scout  was 
Col.  Lyman. 

Me  was  willing  to  follow  when  such  a  daring  leader 
took  advantage  of  the  opportunity. 

Harry  saw  him,  and,  like  a. true  hero,  shouted: 

"Boys,  Col.  Lyman  leads ;  with  him  victory  is  sure." 

With  terrible  earnestness  the  men  dashed  through 
the  wood  against  the  enemy. 

Those  New  Englanders  were  terrible  fighters. 

Their  hatchets  were  formidable  weapons,  and  the 
butts  of  their  guns  did  frightful  execution  when  used 
as  dubs.  ^ 

The  Mohawks,  who.  were  on  the  side  of  the  English? 
acted  tile  ^h  of  cowards,  or  perhaps  we  should  say 
they  were  diplomatic.  ^    : ^^ 

If  the  French  won  the  victory,  the  Iroquois  would 


^k  \ 


:.%..-:.:. 


Johnson's  Success. 


77 


not  be  likely  to  treat  the  Mohawks  badly,  arid. so  the 
English  allies  delib9^ately  told  Lymaki  that  they  liked 
jto  watch  the  English  fight. 

The  French  officer,  Baron  Dieskau,  wa$  sitting  on  the* 
ground,  wo^ided,  as  the  colonists  dashed  past. 

One,  of  Lyriian's  men,  himself  a  French  Canadian, 
caught  sight  of  the  wounded  officer  and  deliberately 
shot  at  him,  breaking  both  legs.  * 

Others  stripped  him  of  his  clothes,  and  heaped  in- 
dignities On  him.  i. 

1     Harry  Leonard  saw  them  just  in  time. 

"Are  you  men,  thus  to  treat  a  fallen  foe?"  he  criedi 
'Tton't  you  kno^that  he  is  a  brave  man?  Cargr  him 
to  Fort  Wiljiam  Henry  at  once."         . 

The  men  were  I^eartily  ashamed  of  their- conduct, 
and  lyere  glad  that  the  youngs  scoijt  stopped  them  ere 
they  had  gone  too  far.4.„ 

_    Gen.  Johnson  f Reived  his  foe  with  courtesy,  and 
paW  him  the  greatest -tttention. 
,   The  French  and  thdr  alliies,  the  Iroquois,  fled  into 
the  woods  and  made  their  way  back  toward  the  South 
Bay,  where  they  had  left  their  canoes. 

Several  companies  of  French  Canadians  and  Iroquois 
returned  to  the  scene  of  action,' the  Canadians  with  the 
desire  to  retrieve'  their  Character,  the  Indians  witfi  the 
scfle  object  of  securifig  scalps. 
,     But  a  sc^g  party  Jwd  set  ^^o^^^^^ 
undef  cdiriqiand  of  Ctpts.  Folsom  and  McGihnis. 


'.K  A 


i* 


,  *  ft  *^        \  '  I 

A'.^y.^  .  ■      ,        III!  M.  I  I  iiiiliiiiiili;  I    .  rA   M^'W^      -     r?  i.<^       -  I  • 


1> 


ll 


7« 


Jihnson's  Success. 


''■f 


The  Indians  had  taken  many  scalps  and  were  resting 
by  the  side  of  a  tiny  lake  in  the  fc»rest  when  the  scouts 
came  up  and  opened  fire  upon  them. 

The  Canadislns  .and  their  allies  outnumbered  the 
scouts  three  to  one,  but  they  were  taken  unawares  and 
after  a  terrible  fight,  in  which  McGiimis  was  mortally 
woutided,  the  little  party  of  scouts  drove  the  northern- 
ers back  with, great  loss. 

The  ^bodies' of  the  slain  were  thrown  into  the,  pool, 
which  was  named  after  that  "The  Bloody  Pool."     « 

With  wild  confusion  the  Canadians  and  their  allies 
Reached  their  canoes  in  South  Bay,  and  paddled  for  * 
very  life  to  Ticonderoga. 

They  were  nearly  starved,  for  they  had  thrpwn  away 
their  knapsacks  when  they  had  fled  first,  and  had  been 
witiifiut  foodj^r  twenty  hours.  * 

Hahy  had  returned  to  Fort  Wilfiam  Hehry,  ancl 
was  riceixcd  with  the  greatest  enthusiasm.       .       ' 

"I  amp  proud  of  you.  I  shall  mention- jrou  in  my  re- 
port to^  governor  of  the  province*  and  the  King  qf 
England  shall  know  what  brave  yotlffis  there  are  m 
these  colonies,"  saM  Jdinson,  with  rapture. 

"What  do  you  advise?"  aske^  the  commander,  later;  ^ 
"r  am  rely  on  yo/uc  advice."  » 

"Push  forward  and  cajpture  Xitonderog^,^  answered  . 
Harry,  b61dly.  * 

TEe "advice  was ^ood,  ^d  had  it  beeo'fc^owt^ 


x'  •"jr,-^  "^i  ■ 


-f  V'f, 


Johnson's  Success. 


79 


many  valuable  Uves  would  have  jjeen  saved,  and  the 
war  would  have  been  shortened. 
But  Johnson  had  not  sufficient  dash  about  him.    ' 
He  studied  ^flFect,  perhaps,  rather  too  much,  and  io  • 
waited  for  the  ^ews  of  his  victory,  to  be  heralded 
through  the  colonies  and  a  good  share  of  glory  be  at- 
tributed to  him.  V 

Fof  ten  days  he  remained  inlictive,  A>ing  nothing 
but  strengthening  the  fort.  •§  " 

Whqi  be  did  move  he  learned  thit  the  French  had 
made  the  fort  at  Ticonde^oga  ahnost  impregnable. 

He  did  not  hazard  a  battle,  but  withdrew  to  the  fortt 
and  wrote  fresh  dispatches  so  full  of  glory  of  his  owa 
achievements  that  the  Englisk  monarch  gave  him  the 
titie  of.baroiKt,  and  parliament  bestowed  a  pension  of 
_fijre  thousand  pounds  a  year.  "^        ^ 

V :;  Did^^.  mention  the  her|ttsm  of  Harry  Leonard,  as  he 
had  promi^?     ^  ~"  . 

Yes,  but  no  name  was  given  in  the  reports  merely 
tlie  line  fliat  "a  young  scout  ^w  an;  opportunity  to  Ibl- 
Ipw  the  en«ny,  and  he  led  the  way  through  the  wood.*' 

Neither  was  the  splehdid  valor  qf  G)l.  Lyman  re- 
fentd  to,  even  indirectfy ;  the  English  government  be- . , 
ing  lef}  to  befl^  that  the  victory  was  entirely  dqp  to 
Johnson  himself.  v  \ 

Harry  wrote  an  account  of  the  battle'^  Washing-   ^ 
ton,  and  in  the  letter  appeared  the  only  jop«"pl)H*T»t  hp 
c^er  i|»de  Cfiocermi^  Johnson.  ~       ~ 


»    ; 


«ll 


V       . 


v^!' 


'Wm^.- 


«  to 


"He  Shall  Die— I  Swear  It!" 


"He  is  genial  and  generous,"  said  Harry,  'y^t  so  full 
of  fas  own  merits  that  he  is  blind  to  everyorit'else,'and 
■nagines  that  all  they  do  is  but  the  reflection  of  his 
own  greatness.  I  am  glad  I  am  a  scout,  for  I  fear  I 
could  never  submit  to  the  hard-and-fast  fules  of  the 
ragular  service."  , 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

"he  shall  die — I  SWEAR  ItI"  '' 

» 

Harry  saw  that  the  army  would  remain  inactive  un- 
til the  following  spring,  so  he  thought  his  opportunity 
had  come. 

He  had  no  difficulty  in  obtaining  permission  to  drill 
his  scouts  in  the  best  way — ^by  a  practical  journey 
through  the  forest. 

He  had  selected  men  whom  he  thought  the  most 
likely  to  develop  into  good  scouts. 

Only  very  few  of  Johnson's  army  were  skilled  in 
Indian  warfare,  for  thq^e  who  had  tracked  their  way 
through  the  forests  round  Lake  George  as  hunters 
were,  by  some  indescribable  blunder,  stationed  else- 
where. .-""~. 

But  there  was  one  man  \ifiio  knew  every  inch  of  for- 
est between  Albany  and  Canada.  .     ' 

He  and  his  son,  a  youth  about  the  same  age  aa  Harry, 


o. 


^ad^  paddled  a  cuioe  through  Lake  Champlain,  and  had 


,v,  -  ..'.'•■  #■-'■'  ■■• 

^ 

.^ 

h 

.       •% 

^{^^'k-4*'-= 

'f 


'f- 


\ 


"He  Shall  Die— I  Swear  Itl* 


8i 


penetrated  into    the    strongholds    of   the    French    in 
Canada.  , 

Harry  had  taken  quite  a  fancy  to  the  old  trapper, 
whose  name  of  Sur^efoot  was  well  known  to  all  the  Fivie. 
Nations. 

"Your;iame  is  not  Surefodt,  is  it?"  asked iHarry.^ 

"No,  it  is  a  very  plain  one,  for  I  was  khown  for 
years-  as  John  Smith ;  it  was  old  King  Hendrick  who- 
called  me  Surefoot,  and  I've  had  no  other  name  since. 
Jack,  there,  i^  called  Little  Surefoot,  and  he  is  as 
good  a  scout  as  his  dad." 

Harry,  though  only  lieute^nt,  had  the  courtesy  rank- 
of  captain  when  out  scouting,  and  he  made  Surefoot 
his  aide*  giving  him  the  rank  of  liejritenant. 

"Can  you  paddle?"  asked  Surefoot.  ^ 

"No,  not  very  well,"  acknowledged  .Ha^xy,  honestly. 

"Then  I'll  have  to  teach  you ;  you  don't  mind  leaiU« ' 
ing,  do  you?" 

"I  must  learn,  and  I  shall  be  proud  to  have  you  as 
my  teacher." 

Harry  had  paddled  a  little  in  the  river  near  his 
home,  but  he  knew  it  was  far  different  to  the  work  he  , 
would  have  to  do  ojj>the  lakes. 

The  sfightesf'noise  made  with  the  paddle  might 
rouse  a  whole  tribe  of  enemies  and  lead  to  the  scalping 
of  his  entire  party. 
—^  The  light  bark  canoes  of  the  Iroquoi»-aad- 


were  also  more  difficult  to  manage  than  the  heavier 


W^\ 


,  i-i 


■v/as4tiiLwi>S«^^'  ■.-     ■ '.  . 


82 


v"Hc  Shall  t)ie— I  Swear  It!" 


and  more  crudely  shaped  ones  oPthe  Shoshones,  Black- 
feet  and  other  Indians  with  whom  Harry  had  cc»me  in     C 
contact.  ^ 

He  stepped  into  one  of  the  frail  cai^,  ai^d,  for  a 
^       moment,  gasped  for  breath  as  he  felt  it  sink  in  the 
water  beneath  him. 

When   Surefoot  and   Little  Surefoot  also  got  in,  7'''^^ 
\f  Harry  made  sure  his  time  had  come,  and  resigned  him- 

self to  his  fate. 

"Here  is  a  paddle,  but  don't  use  it  until  you  are  ac- 
customed  to  the  movement  of  the  boat." 

Little  Surefoot  gracefully  moved  his  paddle,  and 
•Harry  noticed  how  silently  it  touchfed  the  water  and 
how  easily  the  ^  lad  proggUed  the  c^oe. 

Harry  could  paddle,  and  so,  wh«i  he  had  regained 
confidence,  he  was  able  to  use  his  paddle  as  sil^tly  as  ^^ 
his  teacher.  ' 

\  For  several  days  ^e  scouts  practiced  on  the  lake, 

and  were  declared  proficient.  X"^x      »> 

Harry  divided  the  scouts  into  two  parties,  on  A  being 
under  the  lead  of  Surefoot,  the  other  lie  commanded 
himself. 
i  He  had  made  up  his  mind  to  reach  Tlconderoga,  and 

thence  work  his  way  up  to  Crown  Point,  so  thai  he . 
might    have    accurate    information    concemii^    the     ^ 
strengjji  of  the  enerhy. 

After  prrvipMingr  up  the  lake  some  distance,  the  en- 


tire  party  took  to  the  woods,  so  that  they  could  find 


i»  * 


■    :■%,. 


■^i^'i 


/ 


"He  Shall  Die— I  Swear  It!" 


«3 


whether  all  wias  clear  between  Fd^  William  Henry  and 
TiccMiderogaJ 


*"Look  wdl  at  the  trees,"  said  Harry;  "you  can  al- 
ways  locate  your  trail  by  them.'  ^   ', 

He  explained  to  them  the  peculiarities  presented  by.^ 
the  treies,  and  showed  how  the  trail  could  be  followed!.  ^■ 
-  The  two  parties  had  diverged,  but  arranged  to  meet 
at  a  certain  point. 

Signals  were  decided  upon  in  case  of  danger.  i 

Hart7*s  quick  ears  were  on  the  alert,  for  he  was  none 
too  confident  that  the  Iroquois  had  all  gone  to  the  fort     | 

%e  sharp,  clear  notes  of  a  bird  were  heard,  and 
Harry  halted  his  men.  \ 

To  their  surprise,  a  peculiar  sound  emanated  frorti 
Harry's  Aiouth,  and  again  the  birdlike  notes  were     * 
heard.  .^ 

"Keep  silence,  men^fehe  said,  in  a  low  vcrice.    "Sure- 
toot  scents  Indiafns  f  follow  me,  silently."  ,  . 
'       All  wore  moc<;asins  iifi  order  that  their  tread  might , 
be  silent,  and  in  |ndiaq  file  the  scouts  marcKed  through  | 
the  wood.                *         /       y        ,     .  ! 

Harry  might  have  traversed  it  every  week  of  his  life, 
so  well  did  he  find  the  deer  t!*ail  and  keep  to  it. 

Sudd^ly  the  still -^if  was  ruffled  by  the  sound  of 
musketry.  *  / 

"  Tis  Sjurefoot,"  murmured  Hiriy,  and  aloud  he  / 
Added :  '-  .  ''<^      ■     '      -    '■       /  -'■ 


«i 


Quicken 


.'  -.^[it^-.     \     '■ 


your  eyes  open 


M 


jjr  <- 


--»i^'^ 


■/, 


«4 


«He  ShaU  Die— I 


It!" 


Again  a  volley  of  shots  was  heard,  and  Hany  hur- 
ried his  men  forward  with  all  haste. 

Each  man  carried  his  rifie  ready  ^fbr  use,  and  each  - 
man  kept  his  eyes  steady,  so  that  no  surprise  could 

T 

come  to  him. 

Guided. by  the' first  bird  signal,  Harry  was  able  to 
lead  his  men  direct  to  the  spot  where,  in  a  blearing,  he 
found  Surefoot  engaged  in  an  encounterfwith  a  force 
of  Indians  outnumbering  the  scouts  live  to  one, 

There  was  something  familiar  to  Harry  in  the  leader 
of  the  savages,  and  he  soon  saw  that  the  men  were 
not  IroquicHS  or  any  otherlpf  the  Five  Nations. 

»As  he  drew  near  enough  he  ordered  his  men  to  fire  .a 
I^Uey  into  the  midst  of  the  savages. 
**'  As  they  did  so,  the  chief  turned  round  to  face  his 

ew  enemies,  and  Harry  leaped  forward,  crying: 
"We  have  met,  again,  Red  Wolf.    Now  it  shall  bte 
your  death  or  mine !" 

The  Southern  Indian  gave  a  howl  of  horror  as  he 
saw  the  young  man  whose  grandparents  lie  had  mur- 
dered.    '  cf  .  _JV,  „ 

It  seemed  like  a  Nemesis. 

Even  his  small  brain  realized  that  the  white  man 
might  be  too  much  for  him. 

Uttering  an  exclamation  of  baffled  rage,  after  his 
first  expression  of  horror,  Red  Wolf  fired  at,|Iarry. 

Our  young  veteran  answered  it,  but  neither  of  the 


V 


combatants  gained  any  advantage. 


<**. 


4 


■J.,-.-. 


"He  Shall  Die— I  Swear  It!' 


v.. 


^^ 


'- 


H 


Tfie  scouts  fired  regularly  and  stood  their  ground 
manfully. 

Had  Red  Wolf  only  possessed  his  usual  quick  per- 
ception, he  would  have  ordered  his  warriors  to  sur- 
round the  scouts  and  ^^e  in  on  them. 

But  the  sight  of  WKy  Leonard  disconcerted  him, 
and  gave  an  advantage  to  the  smaller  band  of  white 
men.  j 

The  scouts  saw  it,  and  Harry  signaled  ta  Surefoot 
to  press  forward,  so  that  the  Indians  might  find  them- 
sis|ves  forced  to  the  water. 

Red  Wolf  watched  every  opportunity  to  fire  at 
Harry,  an  attention  which  our  hero  was  not  slow  to 
return.  ' 

Surefoot  gave  a  loud  cry,  and  at  the  same  time  a 
;■  noise  of  men  trampling  down  the  brush  in  the  forest 
was  heard. 

Red  Wolf  began  to  retreat,  and  was  closely  pressed 
by  the  scouts. 

Like  cattle  wie  savages  were  driven  to  the  water's 
edge,  and  they  jumped  into  the  lake,  to  swim  to  where 
their  boats  were  secured. 
••  "Fire  at  them,  boys !"  shouted  Harry. 

The  bullets  struck  the  water  all  round  the  almost 
naked  ravages,  arid  many  a  spurt  of  blood  rose  |o  the 
sun^ace,  showing  that  the  scouts  could  take  good  aim. 


Jn  therrridians  w'ere  otit  orrange,  and  Hany  re- 


-/  *  • 


f.^ 


/ 

y«| 

7    ^ 

r  ^  . 

/ 

r 

/ 

'   /''■■  -"  '          '  ''  /  ' 

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'.'■:" 

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,  ,i.„    L_^. .... 

'; 

■  ■, 

"'."       •  ■ .'. 

■'      ■ 

' 

■ 

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/■  ' 

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...iii,      ' 

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86 


«He  Shall  5ie^I  Swear  It!" 


^n 


gretted  that  another  opportunity  lor  ktUing  Red  Wolf 
had  passed. 

"What  scared  them?"  he  asked  Surefoot 

The  old  trappy  laughed.      ^ 

The  woods  echoed  with  his  merry  guffaws. 

"It  was  little  Surefoot,  of  course." 

"How  could  he  scare  them?" 

'TMdn't  ydu  hear  the  trampling  of  the  brush?* 
^  "Yes."    / 

"WeU.  that  <fid  it" 

"What  was  itr  C 

"A  force  of  white  vdkn  to  strengthen  us." 
,     "Where  are  they?"  * 

"Htfe  they  come^^  • 

Little  Surefoot  iai^ovur  scouts  broke  through  the 
wood  and  joined  the  main  body. 

The  lad  and  his  little  force  had  adopted  an  old  trick, 
new  to  Red  Wdlf ,  but  well  known  to  the  Indians  of  the 
HveNationa. 

They  had  separated,  until  several  yards  was  between 
tiiem ;  then  they  began  a  sunultaneous  stamping  on  the 
brush  with  their  feet  and  beating  with  sticks. 

So  cleverly  was  it  done,  that  it  sounded  very  much 
as  though  at  least  fifty  men  were  on  the  quick  march 
tiirough  the  forest,  and  Red  Wolf  knew  tiiat  only  whiti^ 
tncn  would  make  any  noise  with  their  feet  on  the  march* 


m& 


**1  would  have  given  five  tho^iiind  pounds,  if  I  pOi>* 


-'-r^ 


ijr.t.-r,    ■    '  •!     ■  :    i'..'  ,,  «...  .1./. '.V,  c    ■  I: 


: 


a     » 


!'#irtj?i^:i;*ijjj;!fl#!v».f«-'|>f^^ii**-<^- 


/• 


■?•■/ 


^  The  Surprise. 


«> 


1^ " 


s^||edJt/to  have  killed  Red  Wdf,"  ewJaimed  Hgrry, 


"You  \»dll  get  the  chance  yet,  and  I  will  look  out  for 
him." 
"But  don't  you  idll  himj  leave  that  to  mf.** 
"Why  do  you  hate  him?    Have  you  aaet  hun  be- 
fore?" 
__!iHe^murdered  my  grandparents  and  burned  their 
house ;  he  murdered  some  French  people  whose  daugh- 
ter helped  me  to  escape  him."  »  ^ 
JThen  he  shall  die.    Surefoot  will  track  him  ^ 
force  him  into -a  comer,  where  he  shall  die  the  death  of 
a  polecat."    ^^ 

"I  would  like  mine  to  be  the  hand ** 

"So  should  I ;  but  if  you  are  not  near,  then  he  shall 
die.    I  swear  it!" 


yf^ta^mf 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

,    / 

THE  SURPftlSB. 


.■'ill-*  V       f 

i^%  ■■■-.' 


The  winter  passed  inactively.  England  a^d  Fnnoe 
had  each  declared  war  on  the  other,  a  proce6dmg  sav- 
oring of  the  farcical,  seeing  that  they  had  been  fights 
ing  each  other  for  nearly  two  years.  ' 

Harry  bad  received  n<&ws  of  Gen.  Washington,  and 


teamed  tiiat  he,  at  the  ^ead  of  his  gallttrtTl^ait, 


-i^i 


vrfriBiw;.  ■«. 


.  tih.f,fM  ,  V 


jW" 


.# 


88 


The  Surprise. 


had  repelled  the  French  and  Indians  in  the  Shenan- 
doah Valley. 

"I  have  had  a  letter,"  wrote  Washington,  "from 
Mistress  Martha  Custis,  and  I  am  bidden  to  tdl  you 
that  Marie  le  Fabre  is  v€ry  %ell  and  happy,  save  for 
one  thing :  she  would  rather  be  a  soldier  i^^  Capt.  Leon- 
ard's coftipany  than  to  be 'banished  from  his  presence, 
which  means,  my  dear  friend,  that  the  pretty  Marie 
wcpld  fight  her  own  kindred  if  she  could  do  it  in  your 
presence.  The  words  of  praise  from  you  would  com- 
pensate her." 

—  ■) 

Harry  read  the  letter  several  times,  and  sighed. 

In  a  most  patronizing  way,  he  thought: 

"Poor  little  girl,  I  am  sorry  she  misses  me  so  much." 

But  that  night,  and  many  a  night  thereafter,  he 
thought  and  dreamed  of  her  and  began  to  realue  that 
he  would  like  to  see  her.  '  ,  "^     <J^v 

The  winter,  with  its  snow  and  frost,  ifs*Tmck  ice 
on  the  lakes  and  the  intense  cold,  which  th^' Southerner 
felt  more  than  his  Northern  associates,  passed,  and 
Harry  Leonard's  scouts  were  very  proficient  in  their 
work. 

Shirley,  the  governor  of  Massachusetts,  had  met 
the  provincial  governors  and  planned  the  campaign  for 
the  year. 

One  expedition  was  to  proceed  by  way  of  the  Ken- 
nebec and  threaten  Quebec. 
"Se  coutd  s<re  thM  if  tha^^ 


."  uM'^ktif  . 


\ 


V 


♦The  Surprise. 


89 


I- 


■1 


>» 


i 

' 


tured  it  would  cripple  the-  French  more  than  anything 
else. 

It  was  necessary  to  take  Forts  Fontenac,  Toronto 
and  Niagara.         "  •; 

With  these  in  the  hands  of  the  English,  it  would 
be  impossible  for  the  French  to  hold  Forts  Du  Quesne,i 
Detroit  and  Mackinaw,  because  all  sources  of  supply 
would  be  cut  off. 

News  was  received  from  England  that  the  Earl  of 
Loudoun  was  to  be  appointed  commander-in-chief,  with 
Gen.  Abercrdmbie  as  second  in  rank. 

There  was  general  rejoicing  among  the  colonists 
when  the  news  was  made  known,  especially  ^jtrhen  it 
was  stated  authoritatively  that  the  Earl  of  Loudoun 
would  bring  o-vfr  a' colossal  army,  consisting  of  artil- 
lery, cavalry  and  infantry. 

Capt.  Harry  Leonard  put  very  little  faith  in  English 
regulars.  ♦  .  ^  ^ 

,He  had  formed  his  opinion  from  Braddock  and  his 
"regimerit,  though  a^  time  passed  he  came  to  see  that 
the  men  were  brave,  but  their  leader  h^d  no  knowledge 
of  Indian  warfare. 

"What  do  you  think  of  the  plan  of  campaign?" 
asked  Gen.  Johnson. 

"It  is  good,  very  good.  But  L  would  rather  see  the 
colonials  fight  their  own  battles." 

Harry  had  started  out  in  the  early  part  of  March  to , 


again  try  and  reach  Crown  Point. 


:  j.».i(!(>  _ 


f-. 


.*• 


90 


*r^ 


The  Surprise. 


/' 


The  lake  was  frozen,  over,  and  the  journey  could  h^ 
made  for  miles  on  the  ice» 

The  scouts  had  proceeded  sbme  miles  when  Surefoot 
raised  his  hand  as  a  signal  of  caution. 

Instantly  every  voice  was  hushed  and  every  foot 
still.  / 

"What  is  it?"  asked  Harry. 

"Cap'n,  them  French  are  nearer  than  we  thought." 

"How  do' you  knowF'      v 

"Hush!    Silence,  men.    Cap'n,  come  with  me." 

Harry  followed  the  old  trapper  some  distance,  going 
as  softly  as  any  India!ip,  and  as  noiselessly  as  a  cat. 

"See  yonder."         \ 

"What— where?"     '\ 

**Yonder;  don't  you  see  a  glare?" 

"Yes.".  . 


«C' 


Fires;r-vi 


\ 
■V 


"Indians?"      , 

"No,  Indians  would  neS^r  make  a  fire  so  near  the 
lake;  they  would  be  afraid  of  being  seen.  Them's 
French,  sure  as  you  live." 

"What  do  you  think  ?" 

"They  are  marching '  toward  our  fort,  and  have 
camped  for  the  night." 

"Surefoot,  I  will  trust  you.    What  do  you  advise?" 

"I  will  go  forward  and  see  ifrl  am  right" 


"I  will  go  with  you.* 


•/ 


The  Surprise. 


9« 


here  as  still 


«^ 


le,  at  least ;  it 


s  forward. 


"All  right,  cap'n ;  tell  the  men  to  ri 
as  death." 

"How  long  shall  we  be  gone?" 

"I  guess  the  camp  is  a  matter  of  a 
may  be  more." 

After  giving  orders,  the  two  ipetf  ^cnt  forward  to 
reconnoiter. 

Harry  wanted  to  push  forward  qui<;|kly,  but  Surefoot 
declared  it  to  be  dangerous. 

"#hy?" 

-"Iridiansl" 

^  "You  think- "      .  I  # 

^    "That  the  French  havc^^ent  som( 
and  we  shall  fall  into  their  hands  if /we  don't  mind." 

"You  know  best.    I  will  follow  your  lead." 

Surefoot  left  the  trail  and  mafle  for  a  side  track 
which  led  to  the  lake. 

The  two  walked  along  on  the  ibe  as  silently  as  pos- 
sible, keeping  well  within  the  shadow  of  the  trees. 

They  had  gone  a  distance  of  a  mile  or  so,  when 
Surefoot  ag^in  stepped  into  the  forest. 

A  quarter  of  an  hour's  walk /brought  them  in  sight 
of  the  camp  fires  of  a  goodly  siied  army. 

"That  is  Vandreuil's  brother,"  whispered  Surefoot, 
pointing  to  a  French  officer  Who  was  smoking  very 
leisurely.  ^ 

"Are  you  sure?" 


/-->■ 


■I? 


92 


The  Surprise. 


Harry  could  not  help  shuddering,  for  he  knew  Vau- 
dreuil's  brother  to  be*  not  only  a  vaUant.mari,.  but  a 
most  successful  general..  /'/ 

Vaudreuil  was  jealous.  He  had  heard  that  Gen. 
Mbntcalm  was  to  1)c  the  commander-in-chief  of  the 
French  army,  and  he  thought  it  unjust  that  a  foreigner 
should  have  the  preference  over  a  French  Canadian. 

That  was  the  real  secret  of  the  expedition. 

If  he  could  surprise,  attack  and  capture  Fort  Wil- 
liam Henry  he  would  be  crowned  with  glory,  and  the 
home  government  would  be  compelled  to  recognize  him. 

"How  many  are  there?"  asked  Harry. 

"I  should  say  over  a  thousand  regulars,  and  nearly 
as  many  Indians." 

"You  think  they  are  on  their  way  to  the  fort?** 

"Yes." 

"Stay  h^re,  Surefoot;  I  Will  find  out** 

"It  is  dangerous."  \ 

"Never  fear;" 

Harry  moved  toward  the  camp,  keeping  altogether 
in  the  shadow  of  the  trees,  and  as  quietly  as  an  Indian 
or  tiger  looking  for  prey. 

To  his  horror  he  saw  Red  Wolf  in  conversation  with 
Rigaud.  ^ 

The  Indian  was  gesticulating  after  the  manner  of  his 
race,  and  Harry  was  able  to  read  the  sign  language  very 
distinctly.  \ 


t 
F 


t] 


His  gestures  meant : 


''i 


l- 

a 


1- 
le 
a. 


« 


IS 

7 


The  Surpri 


93 


"Th#^6rt  lies^to  th^southe^st  and  is  poorly  guarded. 
Strike  before  sunr^js  and  Red  Wolf  will  have  many, 
scalps  for  hi^radj^^." 

That  wk  J^  Harry  interpreted  thegiestures,  and  he 
was  exactfy  <^orrect.        "  ^f 

The  officer  evidently  consented. 

Harry  felt  that  every  moment  was  precious. 

To  reach  Fort  William  Henry  before  sunrise  meant 
an  almost  immediate  start,  and  as  the  soldiers  would 
move  more  leisurely  than  the  Indians,  Harry  knew  he 
must  hurry  back  unless  he  wished  to  lose  his  scalp. 

He  reached  Surefoot  and  told  him  what  he  had  seen. 

"The  fert  must  be  saved,"  said  the  old  trapper. 

The  distance  was  covered  with  great  celerity,  and 
Harry  rushed  into  the  officers'  tent.     ^ 

"General,  we  are  to  be  surprised  before  sunrise." 
';:How^o?"     7 
y^Harry  tojkl  his  story,  and  at  once  orders  wer^g^ven. 

Every  ioldie^  wa^  at  his  post,  guns  were  tramfci  so 
that  they  could  be  fired  the  moment  the  enemy  ap- 
peared. 

Rigaud  had  divided  his  forces,  the  larger  body  going 
over  the  ice;  the  Indians  tracking  it  through  the  forest. 

The  officers  and  men  in  the  fort  were  ready. 
,It  was  near  sjmrise  when  a  bright  light  appeared  on 
the  lake. 

"They  have  found  our  boats  I"  cried  Harry. 


■*^ 


"Yes; that  fe^^done  to  attract  our  attention;  and  if  we, 


94 


The  Surprise. 


t.. 


charged  them  a  greater  body  would  attack  the  fort 
from  the  forest." 

Surefoot  was  for  staying  where  they  were  and  let- 
ting the  boats  go.  .^ 

Harry,  though,  knew  the  value  of  the  boats  and  trans^ 
ports,  and  calling  on  his  men  to  follow,  he  left  the  fort. 

There  were  plenty  to  defend  it  without  the  little  band 
of  scouts. 

Surefoot  caught  sight  of  a  redskin  skulking  behind 
a  tree. 

He  pointed  him  out  to  Harry,  and  before  the  young 
captain  could  decide  what  to  do,  a  howling,  yelling, 
whooping  lot  of  Indians,  led  by  Red  Wolf,  surrounded 
him  and  his  little  band. 

There  were  but  thirty-nine  scouts  against  three  hun- 
dred Indians,  of  which  number  fifty  were  led  by  the 
bloodthirsty  Red  Wolf. 

The  Indians  closed  in  on  the  little  band. 

"Form  a  hollow  square,  boys,  and  fight  for  your 
lives.    Let  us  all  fight  together  and  die  together." 

"We  will,  cap'n.  We  will  act  as  one  man,  and  God 
be  with  us!" 

"Amen!"  responded  the  young  captain. 


CHAPTER  XV. 


I. 


^  THE  HOLLOW  SQUAR^. 

"..         *  -  ■ 

Red  Wolf  watched  the  formaticm  «rf  iffie'TiolIow 
square  with  a  new  interest. 

It  was  something  novel  to  him,'  and  as  he  saw  the - 
four  lines  of  well-drilled  scouts,  with  the  bjS^ling  bayo- 
nets held  firm,  he  realized  that  the  white  men'  knew 
more  about  scientific  fighting  than  the  Indians. 

Even  Surefoot  was  surprised  at  the  effect  the^square 
produced,  and  many  a  muttered  exclamation  of  pleasure 
escaped  him* 

Harry  had  learned  many  lesgcgis  from  Braddock  and 
Washiijg^n,  and  his  natural,  ability  assisted  him  in 
carryiiig  out  the  military  tacti&s. 

The  Indians  fell  back  and  held  a  consultation. 

Even  to  their  dull  minds  it  was  evident  that  they  f 
could  not  capture  tbescpiita  without  a  great  loss  of 
lifi?,  and  Red  Woli^^id  grown  more  cautions. 

Once  more  the  scouts  were  well  surroun<ied,  and 
Harry  watched  an  opportunity  to  fire  a  volley  into 
the  ranks  of  tfie  enemy.  ''^ 

With  slow,  deliberate  tread  the  Indians  were;^losing 
in  upon  the  little  band.  "*  , 

Even  the,  savages  had  learned  son:^^  of  the  arts  o£ 
^war,  and  ¥fcre  pi^cticing  caution.    ^  — t~  "- --=^ 


\ 


96 


The  Hollow  Square. 


r 


,    ooked  round  at  the  position  of  affairs,  and  in 
a  low  but  firm  voice  gave  his  commandf 
"Make  ready ;  aim,  fire  I" 
From  every  musket  a  bullet  speij  on  its  way. ' 
Each  side  of  the_square  did  its  work,'  arid  on  every 
hand  the  prostr-ate  bodies  6f  the -savages  proved  the 
steadiness  of  the  fire^and  correctness  of  the  aim  of  the 
scouts.  ^ 

,.  Not, only  did  the  volley  reduce  the  numbier  'tl  the 
enemy,  but  it  broke  up  all  the  sderitific  action  of  the 
Indians,  who  defied  all  rule^  of  ordinary  warfare  and 
became;  a  howling,  whooping  lot  of  savages. 

They  rushed  on  the  little  band  of  scouts,  only  to  find 
themselves  ^npaled  on  the  bayonets. 

Every  third  man  had  been  ordered  to  load,  and  as 
the  second  volley  was  fired  the  Indians  fell  back  tem- 
porarily. 

Thj^t  wjjs  Harry *§  opportunity.  ♦ 

He  ordered  the  men  to  break  the  square  and  fsB^  lA 
■line.  \    .     -  '-/r  -   J.       .     ^^ 

They  charged  the  Indians,  and  a  warm  hand  to  hand 
-^^contest  ensued. 

Harry  was  the  very  personification  of  war. 

He  was  everywhere;  every  blow  with  his  sword 
meant.  d?ath  to  a  redskin,  and  every  word  he  uttered 
gave  a  new  cptirage  to  his  followers." 

-—Tfeeif  arms  were  strengthened,  and  tilie  Indiums  were= 


J 


The  Hollow  Square. 


97 


drivefn  Into  the  wood,  just  as  a  small  lorce  of  regulars 
left  the  fort  and  marched  to  the  assistance  of  the  scouts. 
The  boats  were.  j|U  destroyed,  and  the  sally  from  the 
fort  had  proved  of  no  avail,  except  that  the  number  of 
enemies  had  begn.  reduced. 

"See,  they  are ,  returning !"  exclaimed  Harry,  pqint- 
Vig  tpTthe  north.'      *  ^  . 

It  was  a  body-of  the  French- approaching  the  fbrt 

"Ready,  boys !"  cried  H^rry.  , 

-  "They  have  a  white  flag,"  said  Surefoot. 

"Plague,  take  them  I     What  do  they  want  now?*' 
Harry  asked,  with,  evident  impatience.  -     9 

>    "They  want  to  ^tt  into  the  fort,  I  am  thinkinjg,>so 
fliat  they  can  spy  round,"  Surefoot  responded. 

"Then  they  won't  go  in."^ 

"No;  but  you  cannot  fire  on  them!" 

"Don't  svant  to.    Leave  them  to  me,i  Surefoot,  and  1 
'think  I  can  .manage  them."  ''\y 

Harry  raised  a  white  flag,  as  a  token  that  he,  under- 
stood the  Frenph  wished  a  peaceful  encounter. 

"In  the  name  of  the  King^^— "  commenced  the 
French  officer. 

"Of  England,"  ad;led  Harry.'      -,  "     , 

"Of  France,"  the  French  officer  corrected,  and  again 
commenced: 

"In  the  name  of  the  King  of  France,  through  his" 


•uty,  the  gallant  GeH.Kpudt,  I.  seek^a^^ 


■/s-.- 


-^>'- 


terview  with  the  general  commanding  the  forces  of  the 
English." 

Harry  detested  redtapeism,  and  answered  abruptly : 

"What  about?" 

"In  the  name  of  the  king — r—" 
'  "That  is  all  understood ;  say  at  once  what  you  de- 
sire. 

"A  peaceful  interview  with  your  superior  officer."       ' 

"Will  you  submit  to  conditions?" 

"What  are  they?" 

"^ou  must  be  bHndfolded." 

"I  agree." 

"Your  men  must  stack  their  arms." 

"That  is  unprecedented." 

"Very  likely,  but  my  men  will  do  the  same.' 

"I  agree." 

"Give  your  orders,  then." 

"Let  me  hear  you  give  your  orders  first.* 

Harry  could  not  help  laughing  at  the  suspicion  so 
openly  manifested,  but  which  was  perfectly  justifiable. 
.  Pe  g^ve  his  orders,  and  whispered  to  Suref oot :  . 

"Watch  them  like  a  cat  watching  a  mouse." 
.    "Trust  me,  captain." 

Capt.  le  Merder,  the  French  officer,  was  blindfolded, 
and  led  by  Capt.  Harry  Leonard  and  Little  Surefoot  to 
the  fort. 

Harry  would  not  give  the  French  officer  any  advan- 


»f 


»» 


^tge^and  so  led  him  first  to  the  colcmel. 


\s 


*Thc  Hollow  Square. 


99 


"You  say  you  have  a  message  from  your  general?" 

tt-\T » 


W 


Yes. 

'Then  I  will  escort 


the 


It  occupied  by  my 
superior.    Capt.^.  Leonard,  accompany  us." 

Gen.  Eyre  was  not  surprised ;  he  had  been  expecting 
such  a  move. 

The  bandage  was  removed  from  the  Fren^  cap- 
tain's eye,  and  he  was  bidden  to  give  his  message.  ^ 

A  scowl  was  on  his  Mh^,  for  he  had  been  so  well 
bandaged  that  not  one  detail  in  the  fort  had  been  seen 
by  him.  "  • 

He  muttered  a  low  imprecation  as  he  saw  that  the 
tent  was  so  well  closed  that  he  coufd  not  see  any  part 
of  the  defenses. 

"In  the  n?une  of  the  King  of  France,  whose  territory 
by  the  right  of  discovery  this  is,  I  have  a  message'  to 
convey  to  you." 

"In  the  name  of  the  King  of  England,  I  dispute  the 
right  of  the  King  of  France  to  the  territory,  but  as 
his  representative  I  am  prepared  to  listen  to  you." 

"In  order  that  less  blood  may  be  shed,  I  am  com- 
missioned to  say  that  his  majesty's  forces  outnumber 
yours  many  times  over.  It  is  no  reflection  on  your  gen- 
eralship or  on  the  bravery  of  your  soldiers  to  surren- 
der to  superior  numbers.  In  the  name  of  humanity,  I 
ask  you  therefore  to^  relinquish  the  fort  and  retire  with 
•U  the  honors  of  war— 


Gen.  Eyre  listened  in  silence.  ' 


0 


^'f 


'S$ii^i^^^^^^^ili^i^iL'^-^.^-L^^^  i)*&  - 


^-   ■  f 


lOO 


An  Important  Mission. 


"Is  that  your  message?"  he  asked,  at  length. 

"It  is." 

"Then,  Capt.  le  Mercier,  tell  your  general,  the  brave 
Rigaud,  that  the  fort  intrusted  to  ray  care  remains  un- 
der the  English  flag  until  by  force  of  arms  you  compel 
us  to  capitulate.  Tell  the  brave  Gen.  Rigaud  that  Eng- 
lishmen have  an  objection  to  surrendering,  and  that  the 
Americans,  whose  fathers  were  bom  on  this  continent, 
will  fight  for  every  inch  of  soil.    That  is  my  answer." 

Le  Mercier  was  again  blindfolded  and  committed  to 
the  care  of  Hiairry  and  Little  Surefoot,  who  led  him 
back  to  his  men. 

The  next  day  the  French  left  the  forest  and  marche^ 
across  the  lake,  preparatory  to  their  return  to  Ticon- 
deroga. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


AN  IMPORTANT   MISSION. 


«c 


'Surefoot,  I  am  tired  of  this  inaction!"  exclaimed 
Haqiy  Leonard,  a  month  after  the  futik  attack  on  Fort 
William  Henry.  / 

"Prefer  fighting,  eh?"  / 

"Anything  rather  than  this  idle  life.    The  French 
^jtfe^just  as  strong  as  ev^»^m4A^  are  adding  te.^i^= 


allies  all  the  time.' 


'#' 


rave 
un- 
npel 

:ng. 

the 
tent, 
er." 
d  to 
him 

:he^ 
con- 


med 
Fort 


ench 
tha£= 


An  Important  Mission. 


loi 


"Yes;  the  Sacs,  Miamis  and  Winnebagoes  have 
joined  the  enemy  recently."  ^ 

"Do  you  know  what  I  would  do  if  I  could?" 

"No."  • 

"Don't  breathe  a  word  to  anyone,  for  it  might  sound 
like  treason." 

Surefoot  laughed  immoderately. 

"Treason!   .What  is  that?"  he  asked. 

"Hush !  or  I  will  not  talk  to  you." 

There  had  been  a  strong  affection  grow  up  between 
the  young  officer  and  the  old  trapper,  while  as  for  Little 
Surefoot,  he  almost  worshiped  Harry. 

The  old  trapper  was  smoking  a  corncob  pipe  of  his 
own  manufacture,  and  was  seated  by  Capt.  Harry's  side 
on  a  log  in  the  forest  close  to  Fort  William  Henry. 

"If  I  had  my  way  I  would  organize  all  the  colonies 
and  raise  a  big  army  to  drive  the  French  out  of  the 
country,  and  out  of  Canada,  too." 

"Do  you  know  the  origin  of  the  word  Canada?" 
asked  Surefoot. 

"No." 

"Well,  as  I  have  heard  it,  it  came  about  in  this  wky. 
The  Spaniards  were  the  first  to  explore  that  north 
country ;  they  went  all  over  it  for  gold.  Might  as  well 
try  to  freeze  water  on  a  hot  stove  as  find  gold  where 
there  isn't  any.  The  Indians  hated  the  Spaniards,  and 
_  wished  them  acrc^s  the  water.    As  each  party  of  ex- 


plorers  returned  to  their  chief  they  shook  their  heads 


t:^.-Sij>i&' 


-**■ 


I02 


An  Important '  Mission. 


and  exclaimed,  'Aca  Nada/  which  rriiKint,  so' they  sayj- 
'Nothing  there.*  When  the  French  came,  the  Indians 
thought  they  were  after  gold  also,  so  as  the  French 
landed  the  savages  shouted  after  them  Aca  Nada,  and 
the  invaders  thought  that  was  the  name  of  the  country." 
'  "Very  ingenious." 

"I  believe  it  is  correct.  Go  on  with  your  story  about 
the  way  you  would  drive  out  the  French." 

"I  would  place  the  whole  anny  under  an  .Ameri- 
can  ' 


"Indian?" 

"No;  American  by  birth,  but  English  by  descent. 
Then  I  would  not  only  drive  out  the  Fren^,  but  the 
English  soldiers  also,  and  we  would  goven^  ourselves." 

"I  know  the  name  of  your  American."        i   ■' 

"Do  you?*'  V 

**Yes;  you  talk  of  him  every  day,  and,  I  believe, 
dream  of  him  at  night.  His  name  is  Col.  George 
Washington,  is  it  not?", 

"Yes." 

"Great  man,  that." 

**You  are  laughing  at  me,  Surefoot,  but  he  is  a  great 
man." 

"  'Sh !    Spme  one  comes." 

"Col.  Monk)  wishes  to  see  you  at  once,  Capt.  Leon* 
ard." 

"It  is  a jrfeasure  to  obey,"  answered  the  young  cap- 
tain* 


-^M 


'Kt&^M^'i^tiiJiLii 


r'.. 


X 


» 


An  Important  Mission. 


103 


Col.  Monro,  of  the  gallant  Thirty-fifth,  was  now  in 
command  of  the  fort,  acting  under  orders  of  the  Earl 
of  Loudoun. 

He  had  formed  a  liking  for  the  young  scout,  and  had 
obtained  for  him  a  captain's  commission,  instead  of 
merely  the  courtesy  rank  he  had  previously  held. 

"Leonard,  you  look  weary."' 

"I  feel  so,  colonel.  I  want  raiore  life  and  excite- 
ment." 

"I  thought  so.  That  is  J«^t  why  I  have  sent  for  you. 
Are  you  ready  fpr  an  ^s^dition  of  great  danger?" 

"I  am,  and  willing,  too." 

"Then  I  am  not  mistaken  in  you.  The  French  gov- 
ernment has  sent  over  a  new  man,  and  I  want  to  find 
out — I  am  commissioned  to  do  so— what  his  plans  are." 

"You  want  me  to  find  out  for  your* 

"I  do.  The  work  will  be  one  of  great  danger. 
Montcalm'  is  an  extraordinary  man.  You  had  better 
know  a  little  about  him ;  it  will  give  a  key  to  his  char- 
acter." 

"How  can  I  find  out?" 

"1  will  tell  you.  The  Marquis  de  Montcalm  is  a 
little  over  forty-four  years  of  age.  When  he  lyas  fif- 
teen he  could  talk  and  write  in  Greek,  Latin  and  Eng- 
liish  as  fluently  as  in  his  native  French:  He  studied 
hard,  never  allowed  any  obstacle  to  stand  in  his  way. 
JWhatever  he  set  his  mind  on  he  accomplished.   On  his 


fifteenth  birthday  he  entered  the  army.    He  was  pro- 


>"'\'s.%s''-Ji&iii^A'4^'-^H!,ii^i'.;it  .d\ais  ',^!»  ^ 


.<..-. ^i;:\M^ 


I04 


An  Important  Mission. 


.  ficient,  even  then,  with  the  sword,  and  Was  an  excellent 
shot  with  musket  ^bd~pistol." 

"At  fifteen?"         N^  '       ' 

"Yes.  I  am  telling  you  of  one  of  the  mqst  remark- 
able men  of  the  century.  At  the  battle  of  Phiiipsbourg 
he  received  his  commission  as  captain,  though  only  just 
seventeen.  He  won  for  himself  golden  opinions.  He 
married  when  he  was  twenty-one." 

"His  wife  must  have  been  proud  of  him,  colonel." 

"Yes,  she  was.  She  was  of  one  of  the  old  families,  a 
Du  Boulay,  rich  and  influential.  When  he  was  thirty 
he  was  a  full  colonel — ^yes,  France  is  a  glorious  coun- 
try for  a  soldier;  merit  wins  recognition  there.  He 
passed  through  the  campaigns  in  Bohemia  in  1741  and 
1744  without  a  scratch. 

"At  the  battle  of  Piacenza,  in  Italy,  he  was  the  re- 
cipient of  five  saber  cuts ;  and  he  ordered  his  men  to 
carry  him  on  a  litter  so  that  he  could  rally  his  regi- 
ment and  leadithem  to  victory.  He  was  taken  prisoner, 
but  soon  exchanged.  His  wounds  had  not  healed ;  but 
he  rejoined  the  army  with  the  rank  of  brigadier- 
general. 

"He  was  again  wounded,  this  time  by  a  musket  shot, 
which  only  escaped  his  heart  by  half  an  inch. 

**When  peace  was  declared,  this  wonderful  man  went 
home  to  his  family,  and  expected  to  die  with  them  at 


'/ 


^  peace  with  all ;  but  he  has  landed  here  at  the  head  of 


.  i^'i'_.- 


''%,' 


,t*(WjJ*^I  tiSSr 


An  Important   Mission. 


105 


I' 


<» 


the  French  forces,  and  is  the  most  fonnidable  man 
it  is  possible  to  find.1' 

"I  think  I  should  rather  have  him  as  a  friend." 

"So  would  I,  and  I  hope  that  we  may  be  victorious 
without  taking  his  life." 

"Yes ;  such  men  ought  not  to  be  sacrificed." 

"His  second  in  command  is  the  Chevalier  de  Levis. 
Neither  of  these  men  are  liked  by  the  governor  of 
Canada,  and  they  will  be  thwarted  by  him  if  possible.'* 

"What  do  you  want  me  to  ^o?"  • 

"Go  North;  take  Surefoot  with  you,  but  no  one  else. 
Penetrate  through  the  French  lines,  go  into  the  cita- 
del of  Quebec,  if  possible,  find  out  all  you  can,  and 
bring  back  the  information." 

"I  will  do  it."    j 

"The  danger  isi  great.  You  may  be  hanged  as  a 
spy,  if  caught,  and  you  will  have  Indians,  French  and 
Kanucks  as  your  enemies."  r 

"I  accept  the  rifck." 

"I  thought  you  would.  You  can  be  of  great  service 
to  us.  I  don't  ask  you  to  violate  any  confidence  or 
commit  any  breach  of  honor.  Go  as  a  private  citizen 
and  keep  your  eyes  open."  ^' 

,  "I  am  to  take/ Surefoot?"  ^  » 

"Yes,  or  any/ one  you  choose;  but  while  I  think  you 

will  do  better  iWith  only  one  or  two  companions,.  yoi| 

can  take  more  if  you  wish.    The  whole  matter  is  left  "to 

^rour  own  discretion.'^ r—-^ ^ 


\- 


*iVj!l^J.^r''il.H,'S^-.^l'^       (■•' 


"K, 


io6 


A  Surprise. 


\r' 


"I  thank  you  for  the  confidence  you  have  in  me." 
"One  thing  more.  The  paymaster  will  give  you  art- 
pie  money  for  your  needs,  but  should  you  require  more 
he  will  give  you  the  names  of  English  agents  who  wiU 
not  hesitate  to  advance  whatever  you  may  require.  You 
go  as4he  representative  of  your  king." 

Harry  felt  the  responsibility,  but  was  full  of  pleasure\^^ 
at  the  prospect  of  the  adventures  he  would  have  to  meet  * 
with. 

Surefoot  and  Little  Surefoot  were  as  eager  as  their 
captain,  and  Harry  arranged  that  they  both  should  ac- 
company him. 

"Be  in  readiness  at  sunrise  to-morrow." 

"Yes,  captain.   We  can  start  at  any  hour  you  name." 


CHAPTER  XVIL 

A  SURPRISE. 

Late  that  afternoon  Col.  Monro  again  sent  for  Capt 
Leonard. 

"Leonard,  I  think  I  shall  ask  you  to  delay  your  start 
for  a  day  or  two." 
"Yes,  colonel?"    ^ 
"Yes;  I  have  a  letter  here  from  Col.  Gordon,  W  the 
^orfy-second  Scotch  Infantry,  saying  that  titr«W 


-V^/-: 


'■C 


'  J 


Hi" 

kriU 
ou 

ire^; 
Jet 

dr 
ic- 


, »» 


•^f^ 


A  Surprise. 


/ 


t 


107 


have  been  sent  to  New  York  under  sate  conduct  from 
Gov.  Dinwiddie,  of  Virginia,  and  that  they  are  bound  \ 
for  a  place  on  the  lakes  called  Oswego,  which  is  held 
by  the  English.     I  am  asked  to  send  a  small  escort 
part  of  the  way  with  them,  and  I  think  you  could  un-  . 
dertake  it." 

Monro  had  spoken  rapidly.  He  disliked  long 
speeches,  and  he  knew  that  the  work  would  be  dis- 
tasteful to  Harry. 

Escorting  ladies  through  woods  filled  with  prowling 
savages,  and  perhaps  through  the  lines  of  the  enemy, 
was  not  a  pleasant  undertaking. 

Its  very  hazards  were  increased  by  the  fact  that 
wom^,  as  a  rule,  were  the  very  reverse  of  tautioiis. 

It  is  a  soldier's  duty  to  obey,  and  therefore  Capt 
Leonard  submitted  to  the  new  programme  with  good 
g^ce. 

"You  need  only  escort  them  as  far  as  Sabbath  E^y 
Point,  where  Maj.  Israel  Putnam  will  take  charge  of 
them  and  see  to  an  escort  farther  north." 

That  was  better  news,  for  Harry  wanted  to  meet 
Putnam  and  his  fellow  officer,  Robert  Rogers,  whose 
rangers  had  already  made  a  famous  name  for  them- 
selves, tt 

"There  was  also  a  letter  for  you,"  added  Monro, 
"which  I  lik^  had  forgotten."                                           i 
Harry  di<l^  not  recognize  the  writing,  but  knew  the 


seal  to  be  that  of  the  Washington  family,  and  which 


• 


^ 


io8 


A  Surprised 


Is  (y^escrib<;d  in  heraldry  as:  "Argent,  two  bars  gules 
in  chief,  three  mullets  of  the  second,  with  crest,  a 
raven  indorsed!  proper  issuing  out  of  a  ducal  coronet 
;prj3^— a  seal  which  years  later  formed  the  basis  of  the 
national  flag,  the  Stars  and  Stripes. 

He  brc|ke  the  seal  and  opened  the  large  sheet  of 
blue  papeh 

The  letter  was  written  by  an  amanuensis,  but  signed 
"George  Washington." 

It  explained  that  Washington  had  sprained  his  hand, 
making  it|  painful  to  hold  the  pen. 

Harry's;  face  beamed  with  joy  as  he  read  further 
that  the  hidies  were  Marie  le  Fabre  and  two  aunts  who 
were  journeying  North. 

There  >vas  a  shade  of  disappointment  at  the  thought 
of  Marie  leaving  the  home  of  Mistress  Martha  Custis, 
but  it  wai  dispelled  with  the  knowledge  that  he  would 
soon  see  the  ^rl  who  had  done  so  much  for  him. 

He  told  Col.  Monro  of  his  knowledge  of  Marie,  and 
the  veterin  teased  him  unmercifully. 

"Remember,  Samson  lost  his  strength  through  De- 
lilah ;  doh't  let  this  new  siren/spoil  a  useful  soldier.". 

"She  can  fight  as  well  as  I  can,  sir,"  retortfed  the 
young  captain.  .«; 

'  It  was  midday  following  the  one  op  which  Harry 
was  to  liave  started  when  a  small  bodjy  of  red-coat)ed 


■f 


regulars\  appeared  in  sight  of  the  fort,  escorting  three 


v 


A  Surprise. 


109 


ladies,  who,  rflj^Uieir  horses^  steadily  and  firmly  as 
any  man.  ^^ 

"I  did  not  want  to  leave  Virginia,  but  now  I  am  glad 
I  came,"  said  Marie,  after  the  formal  salutations. 

"So  you  go  back  to  your  own  people?" 
^  "Yes;  but  my  heart  will  be  with  you  and  your 'cause. 
X>o  you  know,  Harry—you  don't  object  to  my  calling 
youJHarry,  do  you?" 

'Object,  Mademoiselle  Marie?  ^d  I  not  call  thee 
by  that  sweet  name,  Ii^arie?  Then  how  much  nicer  is  it 
vto  be  called  Harry  by  thee?" 

"My  aunts  have  no  symj^thy  with  the  French ;  they 
say  that  they  had  no  right  to  afly  themselves  with  the 
Indians,. and  deserve  defeat.*'      >        .^ 

Early  the  next  day  the  little  company  of  scouts/ 
headed  by  thftir  captain,  started  through  the  forest  for 
the  post  at  Sabbath  Day  Point. 

For  most  of  the  way  a  path  had  been  cut,  wide 
enough  for  a  Jiorseman  tp  travel,  ^nd  we  may  be  sure 
that  Harry  was  not  far  away  from  the  charming 
French  girl,  who  had  twice  saved  his  life. 

The  party 'proceeded  aloi\g  the  military  road,  as  far 
as  Diamond  Point,  without  adventure. 

They  had  encamped,  and  were  preparing  their  first 
meal  in  the  ^rest,  when  Little  Surefoot,  wh6  had  been 
reconnoitering,  came  hurriedly  to  the  camp. 
-*C^^  Red  Wolf ^ui4^^ bis  savages  aremovmj 


'^ 


this  way;  there  is  no  escape." 


"  1^ 


no 


A 


A  3urpnte. 


"What  can  ue  done,  Surefoot?" 
f         "  'Pears  to  rtie  the  sa  r*fi:es  are  about  to  attack  the 
fort.    We  must  return,  or  strike  across  to  the  lake, 
and  get  to  the  island." 

"Can  we  do  it?" 

"  'Pears  to  me  it  would  be  best.  We  could  get  the 
canoes,  which  the  Indians  are  stire  to  have  left  there*" 

Little  Surefoot  was  to  go  back  to  the  foit,,^  acr, 
quaint  Col.  Monro  of  the  Indian  approach, ^jind  Harry 
commissioncfl  the  old  tripper  to  lead  the  way  to  the 
kke. 

"Horses  *in't  no  use  here,"  the  old  trapper  said, 
sneeringly;  arid  Harry,  acting  on  the  hint,  bade  the 
boy*  take  the  horses  back  ^^^e  fort. 

Madam  le  LemeaW,  the'^elder  aunt  of  Marie  le  Fabre, 
expostulated  in  French  ^nd  broken  English,  and  de* 
clared  she  would  rather  iface  the  Indians  than  have  to 
walk. 

^        But  she  was  lifted  from  the  saddle  and  half  dragged 
^i^  through  the  wood.  „  '  'j 

How  she  grumbled! 

Her  voice  became  so  lo#  that  Surefoot 
her  and  de^s^ared  he  would  gag  her  if  she 
otfier  word.  ,       ^         *• 

lat  was  a  threatened  indignity  she  would  not  en- 


4 


n  on  a  stone  and  screamed  and  shrieked 


■^m:: 


A--i  „., 


,^*' 


A  Surprise. 


/  ■. 


/ 


lU 


until  Harry  suddenly  pushed  his  handkerchief  in  her 
mouth,  while  Marie  tied  her  own  over  it. 
"We  shall  be  killed  if  you  cry  out  like  that,  madam.' 


n 


'<  "^The  Frenchwoman  rolled   over   and   oyer   on   th« 


^_., 


,4   -^ 


d,  kicking  and  struggling  so  vigorously  that  there 
wdis  nothing  for  it  but  to  carry  her. 
'   A  strong  provincial  tookcher  shoulders,  and  another 
her  feet,  and  in  this  way  they  i^ana^ed  to  make  some  ^ 
little  progress.  j      . 

Thinking  that  the  lesson  would  prove  profitable^ 
Harry  ordered  the  gag  to  be  removed,  but  again  she  set 
up  such  an  unearthly  screeching  that  made  Surcffoot 
declare  he  would  rtJn  her  through  with  the  bayonet  H 
she  uttered  another  sound.         ^  ..^ 

The  threat  had  no  effect.  \ 

She  wa?  silenced  instantly,  though;  bujjt  was  at 
sight  of  one  of  Red  Wolf's  savages,  who  emerged  frona 
behind  9.  tree  aun^  stood  for  a  second  in  full  view. 

She  hated  Indians,  and  was  genuinely  afraid  of 
them. 

"We  have  given  the  alarm ;  they  will  be  down  upon    " 
us  before  we  reach  the  lakes,"  said  Surefoot.     ^ 

It  wa§  slow  traveling,  bu|  the  thought  of  Indians  Jent 
speed  to  the  slowest  feet. 

Not  a  sound  was  uttered  by  any,  and  the  three 
women  were  as  cautious  as  the  others. 


I^refoot  fittde  constant  trips  into  the  wood,  and  1^!      T 


.  ^ 


■  '* 


S^i^iMfy^itimS^i^^^Miii^^tjA^^^.v' 


H 


ita 


A  Surprise. 


times  climbed  trees  to  see  if  there  were  any  indications 
of  the  approach  of  the  Indians. 

He  returned  from  one  trip  with  face  as  white  as  his 
bronzed  coiliplexion  would  permit. 

He  whispered  to  Harry: 
^  "Cap'n,  as  sure  as  we  live,  the  Injins  are  cuttin*  us 
off  from  the  boats." 

"Do  you  mean  it?"  - 

"Fact." 

"Then  what  can  we  do?"  *  ' 

"To  go  back  to  the  fort  would  be  to  walk  into  their 
arms;  to  go  to  the  lake  would  givC/efti  all  our  scalps." 

"Then  what  course  is  left  for  us?" 

"  'Pears  to  me,  if  it  wam't  for  the  women,  we  could 
reach  the  boats  first." 

Marie  had  reached  Harry's  side.  She  heard  the  last 
words' uttered  by  Surefoot. 

"Capt.  LeonajFd,  no  woman  must  be  considered  when 
your  life  is  at  stake.  Go!  leave  us !  we  will  take  care 
of  ourselves."  » 

"No,  Marie,  I  will  stay  with  you." 

"You  must  not ;  we  were  prepared  for  danger,  and 
even  death.    Go,  my  bra»e  boy " 

"No,  no!  we  will  not  leave  you.  Can  you  get  your 
aunts  to  run?"  " 

"Like  deer,"  answered  Marie ;  "they  come  from  the 


^woods  where  bears  and  jpanthers  abound.** 


"  i^'t^f^f. 


.*i«'^'* 


A  Surprise 


113 


'It  is  our  only  chance.  Come,  mep]  come,  ladies,  we 
must  reach  the  lake  first." 

They  all  started  on  a  run.  The  distance  to  be  cov- 
ered was  not  great,  but  the  road  was  over  fallen  trees, 
great  stones,  deep  holes  which  had  to  be  cleared  by 
jumping,  and  roots  of  trees  which  stood  up  from  the 
ground,  making  traps  for  unwary  feet. 
'  On  they  ran,  until  their  breath  came  4luick  and  hard. 

Marie  was  right ;  her  aunts  could  run  as  well  as  the 
men.  -       ^ 

A  break;  in  the  road  showed  them  the  shimmering 
waters  of  the  beautiful  lake,  but  it  revealed  another 
sight,  one  which  made  their  hot  blood  suddenly  turn 
cold  as  ice. 

Right  on  th^  edge  of  the  water's  bank,  with  their 
hideous-painted*  bodies,  stood  a  long  line  of  savage- 
looking  Indians,  with  many  scalps  at  their  belts,  and 
gleaming  tomahawks  in  their  hands. 

"We  are  lost!"  cried  Harry. 

"I  shall  kill  myself  before  an  Indian  touches  me," 
said  Marie,  earnestly. 


ft'K  .Vvi'i!.*  .%*  W,i-'*1#    f.    '1  "■- 


.'^y'.^^.'^l 


HWiiiii];mi'  miii'I'M 


f  ' 


N'UI     II    l|W|"|l 


'-'y,Z':^'^'^^.4,^T\ 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

ISRAEL  PT3TNAM.  \ 

The  Indies,  though  with  every  chance  of  an  easy 
victory,  and  the  possession  of  a  few  scalps,  seemed  far 
from  sanguine. 

There  was  a  restlessness  about  their  actions  which 
the  quick  wit  of  the  old  trapper,  Surefoot,  attributed 
to  the  fear  that  the  scouts  were  only  the  advance  of  an 
army.  '^^ 

"I  shall  not  leave  you,  Marie,"  said  Harry,  with  de- 
termination.   "If  we  have  to  die  it  shall  be  together." 

"The  country — think  of  that — what  would  become  of 
it  without  you?" 

It  seemed  very  absurd  to  think  that  a  nation  de- 
pended on  one  young  man,  but  Marie  spoke  so  ear- 
nestly that  its  ludicrous  side  was  not  apparent. 

Surefoot  was  thinking  out  a  way  of  escape. 

To  go  forward  toward  the  lake,  was  to  encounter  the 
Indians,  and  ^  meet  with  speedy  death. 

It  was  equally  dangerous  to  go  back  into  the  wood ; 
so,  to  all  appearance,  their  fate  was  sealed. 

To  deliberate  was  nmost  fatal,  for  the  Indians,  sure 
of  their  victims,  would  look  upon  hesitation  as  cow- 
ardice  and  for  that  they  had  Uie  greatest  contempt 


%Mti''MM^i'if 


i:"^,. 


Israel  Putnam. 


"5 


The  savages  kept  looking  at  the  lake  and  gesticula- 
ting frantically. 

With  a  wild  whoop  they  started  into  the  wood,  and 
Harry  ordered  his  men  to  be  ready  to  receive  them. 

Instead  of  attacking  the  handful  of  whites,  they  di- 
verged to  the  south.  , 
"What  does  it  mean?"  asked  Harry. 
"  'Pears  to  me  that  the  Mohicans  are  after  them." 
"Thett*|ire  are  safe."  ., 
"Mebbel^and  mebbe  not.    The, redskin  is  pecoolier. 
Two  tribes  hating  each  other  will  smoke  the  pipe  of 
peace  and  unite  to  battle  with  white  folks." 

The  old  trapper's  esfts  caught  the  sound  of  men 
marching. 

"Those  are  reg'lars,"  he  said. 

"French?" 

"Mebbe." 

Presently  the   scouts   saw   a  tall,   iank,   strangely  A 
dressed  man  emerge  from  the  wood,  bearing  in  hand  a 
heavy  sword,  which  required  almost  a  giant's  strength 
to  wield. 

When  he  saw  Harry  and  the  womfen,  he  saluted,  and 
bowed  most  gallantly. 

"I  see  by  your  uniform  that  you  serve  the  King  of 
England."  He  paused  for  a  reply,  but  Harry  was  not 
going  to  be  tog  quick  in  ansyyering,    "I,  tOQ*  serve  the.. 


same  king,  though  I  have  never  seen  him ;  but  I  have 


/ 


!fi^iS^f*"Jk'kf4^ 


I'liii  iifi^iiiiiiiii'fyiiw^ii   ' 


W^ 


*  ^i' 


Kf?^«?r 


ii6 


Israel  Putnam. 


faith,  and  faith  is  the  belief  in  things  not  seen.    Who 
might  you  be?"       .. 

"I  am  Capt.  Harry  Leonard " 

"By  the  memory  of  Plymouth  Rock,  my  heart  goes 
out  to  you.    I  am  Israel  Putnam." 

"Right  glad  I  am  to  meet  you.  I  was  on  my  way  to 
Sabbath  Day  Point " 

"Certain  children  of  the  Evil  One  with  red  skins  and 
bjack  souls  did  molest  our  camp,  and  we  drove  them 
into  the  thickness  of  the  forest  until  we  but  now  lost 
sight  of  them.  They  were  strange  people  to  me,  and  it 
seemeth  marvelous  how  they  can  bc  human,  seeing  God 
made  man  in  his  own  image." 

Putnam  had  been  brought  up  among  the  Puritans, 
and  his  language  was  a  strange  mixture  of  their  ideas 
and  the  blunter  sentences  of  the  rough  farmer. 

Many  of  the  Puritans  held  that  the  Indians  were  only 
partially  human.  Perhaps,  had  Darwin  lived  in  those 
days  and  propounded  his  theory  of  evolution,  the 
Indian  I  might  have  been  called  the  missing  link. 

Harji-y  told  of  the  scare  his  little  band  had  just  exr- 
perienfced,  and  how  easily  they  would  have  been  anni- 
hilated. ' 

"Would  you  have  surrendered?" 

"No,  Maj.  Putnam.  A  Virginian  caiC^ie  easier  than 
suril^ender."         ,  *  ■ 


jThat's  right.    It's  the  old  stuff  cropping  out.  Blood 


:fcj&sSAfei;»,> 


'Vi>J,a«teS!!sV.*i, 


Israel  Putnam. 


«^ 


"7 


telfe.    We  can  fight,  and  it  is  our  duty  to  resist  the  Evil 
One,  and  he  is  sure  to  flee  from  you." 

**Shall  you  pursue  the  savages?"  ; 

/"Were  I  serving  myself  instead  of  the  King  of  Eng- 
(iand,  I  should." 
/     "I  do  not  understand." 

"Don't  you?  My  command  extendeth  to  the  deer 
trail  just  south  of  where  you" are;  beyend  that  I  have 
no  power." 

"Surely  you  could  pursue  an  enemy?" 

"Not  so.  Military  laws  are  strange,  but  they  have  to 
be  obeyed." 

Israel  Putnam  believed  in  keeping  to  the  strict  let- 
ter of, military  law,  and  nothing  could  turn  him  from 
it.  « 

He  was  pleased  to  meet  Harry,  of  whom  he  had 
heard,  and  when  our  youthful  veteran  spoke  of  Wash- 
ington, he  answered  quaintly: 

"Even  he,  too,  is  actuated  by  faith,  for  the  King  of 
England  hath  not  been  seen  by  him,  and  verily  I  be- 
lieve that  those  serve  him  best  who  hath  never  l^nown 
him."  - 

Harry  told  of  the  escort  desired  from  Putnam. 

"Verily,  Rogers  might  go  himself;  but  thou  art  a 
scout  unattached,  and  it  seemeth  to  me  that  I  can  give 
thee  a  commission  to  escort  the  fair  ladies  to  Oswego.** 
"I  wotild  like  to  petMr  escort,  brttdtitycalU^^m^ 


AJ 


in  another  direction." 


(^ ; 


*% 


'.  1-  ''■:■'',-.  i'&t'"ii-yi'v^^-.2.«fVl\/., 


iM^^^iA:U... 


» 


r"=^ 


Ii8 


Israel  Putnam, 


"Iridjeed,  if  I  were  the  recipient  of  such  bright 
glances  as  the  beautiful  Marie  hath  bestowed  on  thee, 
I  would  not  let  her  go  to  Osw^o." 

"Wl^?*' 

"Hatjh  not  the  report  reached  Fort  William  Henry 
that  th^  Marquis  de  Montcakn  intendeth  to  destroy  the 
lake  city?"  ,  .V 

"No." 

"Then  it  may  not  be  so ;  but  that  is  the  report  I  have 
heard,  and  Montcalm  might  not  deal  gently  with  a 
\  French  giri  who  loved — blush  not,  she  does  love  thee, 

id  thou  lovest  her-r-as  I  was  sa3dng,  who  loved  a 
Tankee — I  mean  a  Virginilm."  •      "     '   " 

'I  will  go  with  thee  to  the  Point,  major." 

^The  journey  continued  by  me  lake  «ide,  sometimes 
land  and  at  others  in  canoes,  until  Sabbath  Day 
PdJnt  was  reached. 

[arry  thought  if  Montcalm  intended  to  destroy  Os- 
wego, that  it  was  his  duty  to  go  there  also. 

Sending  back  his  own  men,  with  the  exception  of 
Suretoot  and  his  son,  he  selected  a  small  company  from 
the  ranks  of  Putnam  and  R(^rs,  men  accustomed  to 
the  woods,  and  some  who  knew  every  trail  between  the 
lakes  6f  the  Hudson  Valley  an(^the  great  lakes  of  the 
North.!     . 

Putiwm  would  not  aHow  them  to  depart  until  Mon* 


»fe. ,  't 


,,  ^U  s-fl»i'JaV" 


\ 


On  the   Lake. 


119 


On  ^unday  Putnam  conducted  service,  and  his  ad- 
dress tp  the  soldiers  was  a  strange  mixture  of  homely 
adviceJ  stinging  sarcasm  and  Puritan  doctrine. 


CHAPTER  XiX. 


ON  THE  LAKE. 


Oswego  was  a  very  important  place,  and  was  of  the 
greatest  value  to  th^  English  and  Colonial  forces. 

It  was  really  the  only  post  on  Lake  Ontario  of  any 
value,  held  by  the  English. 

Montcalm  had  seen  Has,  and  knew  that,  if  the 
colonials  were  well  (Peered,  Oswego  would  be  the 
rallying  place  for  an  attack  on  Forts  Niagara  and 
Frontenac. 

Montcalm  believed  in  quick  and  decisive  action,  and 
therefore  he  concentrated  a  large  force  at  Frontenac, 
consisting  of  three  battalions  of  regular  troops,  seven 
hundred  Canadian  volunteers,  and  nearly  three  hundred 
Indians. 

He  had  objected  to  using  the  In^ans  at  all,  but  Gov. 
Vaudreuil  had  convinced  him  that  the  English  had  en- 
listed most  of  the  Five  Nations,  and  only  Indians  could 


with  such  savages. 


6 .-  ;^.j^<>i^*i\.'  ^t?  "s^t*  ^  ^*^^'  .^  * 


■■■  ,i: 

•■S-, 


^"P^'r. 


\\\ 


1 20 


On   the  Lake. 


England  had  neglected  Oswego,  and  the  result  was 
that  it  was  y^  badly,  prepared  to  withstand  an  attack. 

It  was  not  until  the  middle  of  August,  1756,  that 
Col.  Webb  was  dispatched  by  the  Earl  of  Loudoun  to 
reinforce  Oswego.  ^  -- 

He  started  after  Montcalm  had  made  his  first  as- 
sault, and  when  he  learned  the  news,  fled  with  the 
greatest  haste. 

The  battle  of  Oswego  showed  the  English  that  they 
had  no  common  man  to  encounter  in  Montcalm. 

He  undi^stood  military  strategy  and  proceeded  with 
caution,  yet  determination. 

The  Indians  and  Canadians  were  put  forward  tQ  keep 

up  a  hot  fire  from  the  forest,  while  the  French  bjrttery 

,1.'..' 
of  four  heavy  guns  prevented  the  two  armed  vessels 

of  the  English  from  doing  any  mischief.     ' 

Fort  Ontario  kept  up  a  brisk  fire  against  the  French, 

who  were  throwing  up  a  new  earthwork  and  mounting 

it  with  twenty-five  pieces  of  heavy  artillerj^^        j 

The  English  commander,  seeing  that  it  was  hopeless 

to  save  the  fort,  waited  until  nightfall,  and  then  sent 

boats  across  the  river,  and  the  garrison  having  spiked 

their  g^ns  and  thrown  their  ammunition  into  the  river, 

crossed  to  the  city  without  being  perceived  by  the 

enemy. 

Montcalm  threw  up  a  new  battery  on  the  ground 

where  Fort  Ontario  stood,  and  at  once  opened  fire. 


rY-^^^S 


The  English  and  colonials  fought  bravely ;  Col.  Mer- 


A.   ^-^   k     '*A  L 


.r-, 


vt*v„  .ilsLi.,*4.>.^^^!.&i. 


^C3>iti'i-^«^-& 


-i        1  >  ■ 


■A 


£..•■ 


On  the  Lake. 


V""\^^ 


111 


cer,  who  commanded  them,  was  cut  in  two  by  a  cannon 
ball,  and  the  garrison  were  seized  /\ijrith  despair. 

„Tbey  at  once  opened  communication  with  Mont- 
calm^  and  sixteen  hundred  soldiers,  ai\\  the  sailors  be- 
longing to  the  English  ships,  and  over  a  hundred 
women  who  had  acted  as  nuTrses  and  otherwise  assisted 
,the  soldiers,  surrendered  as  prisoners  of  war. 

Montcalm  ordered  all  the  forts  and  defenses  to  be 
destroyed,  and  thought  that  he  had  effectually  punished 
the  English. 

But  while  Harry  was  on  his  way  from  Sabbath  Day 
Point  northward,  the  news  reached  him  that  Mont- 
calm had  destroyed  the  city  and  turned  it  into  a  wilder- 
ness. 

News  traveled  slowly  in  those  days,  and, sometimes 
happenings  a  hundred  miles  away  would  not  be  known 
in  the  forest  or  on  the  lakes  for  a  month. 

When  the  news  reached  Harry  he  was  dismayed. 

It  was  now  not  advisable  for  Madam  le  Lameau  and 
her  companions  to  go  there,  and  after  consultation  with 
them,  he  sent  them  back  with  the  escort  and  little  Sure- 
foot  to  Sabbath  Day  Point,  with  the  request  that  Maj. 
Putnam  should  care  for  them  as  carefully  as  though 
they  were  his  sisters. 

Harry  and  Surefoot  struck  off  for  the  lake,  and, 
securing  a  canoe,  started  on  their  perilous  journey. - 

"I  tell  you,  cap'n.  that  it's  mighty  little  chance  we 


have  of  ever  sedng  those  women  again.' 


.-fell 


•k4i 


■^i^^kij^ta^^Lit^^shaii  r%i^. 


\  ^.  ■ 


'*\,  . 


12a 


On  the   Lalcis. 


/•-. 


'TkMi't  say  that,  Surefoot"   ' 

"Fact,  all  the  same;  I  guess  I  can  smell  a  polecat 
as  far  off  as  anyone,  and  the  woods  are  full  of  Indians 
ready  to  pick  us  off  if  they  see  is."  ^ 

"We  shall  be  good  marks  for  them  on  the  lake/' 

"We  shall  be  just  as  safe  there  as  in  the  forest,  and 
-  we  <kn  paddle  quicker  than  we  can  foot  it"  "^ 

Those  who  read  of  scouting  in  the  days  of  whidi  a^e 
write,  can  have  but  little  idea  of  the  dangers  and  inmr 
veniences  encountered.  •»' 

The  only  food  they  could  got  was  what  they  carried 
on  their  back  in  a  small  knapsack. 

It  consisted  of  deer's  flesh  dried  in  the  sun.  01 
-course,  bread  was  out  of  the  question.^ 

Tbejr  dpnld  not  carry  a  second  supplyof  clothes,  for 
,  ammunitio^  and  food,  as  well  as  Ae  canoe,  had  to  be 
borne  on  their  tiadcs. 

And  through  a  country  swarming  with  blood-thirsty 
savages,  these  two  men  started  on  a  journey  of  three 
hundred  miles. 

They  paddled  as  noiselessly  as  the  Indians  them- 
selves up  the  lake,  and  reached  the  narrows. 

"Say,  cap'n,  we've  got  to  rest.  The  redskins  will 
be  watching  the  narrows,  and  Ticonderoga  will  be  a 
difficult  place  to  pass  in  the  dark." 

**What  do.  you  propose,  Surefoot?" 

*To  go  ashore  and  sleep." '•        '     , 


r 


The  advice  was  good,  and  they  lifted  the  canoe  from 


\M 


On  •  the  Lake. 


r 


123 


y 


the  Water,  carried  it  up  into  the  wood,  an4  concealed 
it  careffiH^  under  the  thick  undergrowth.  / 

Surefoot  was  awake  by  sunrise,  and  taught  Harry  a 
new  lesson  in  Indian  scouting. 

On  their  hands  and  knees  they  went  down  to  the 
waterside  to  obliterate  every  mark  they  had  made. 

The  grass,  which  they  had  trodden  down,  was  raised 
up,  footprints  filled  in,  and  where  branches  had  been 
broken,  or  stalks  beaten  down,  they  were  cut  off  and  the 
^ds  smeared  with  mud.  "^ 

It  was  a  work  requiring  the  greatest  cautk>h  and. 
skill;  but  Surefoot  had  done  a  similar  thing  so  often  j 
thai  he  looked  upon  it  as  a  necessity,  and  part  cif  the  I 
day's  duties.  * 

With  the  canoe  on  his  back  Surefoot  led  the  way. 
through  the  forest. 

"Stay  right  here,  cap'n,  for;  five  minutes ;  I  want  to 
reconndter." 

Surefoot  was  not  gone  five  minutes.      ^ 
'  .  "We've  got  to  trust  to  the  narrows." 

"Is  it  safe?"  ^ 

"No." 

"Then  why  not  keep  to  the  woods?" 

"Swarms  of^redskins  right  ahead  of  us,  and  I'm 
pretty  jsure  they  scent  us^  tod." 

They  started  back  and  reached  the  water  safely. 

"Cap'n.  I  don't  like  to  presume,  but  if  you'd  totye 


this  trip  to  me  I'd  feel  safer." 


SI 

11 


ii] 


y 


'^,  7a  A' 


««    .o.-i> 


Jw*-  ?'■ 


t.: 


«^'- 


124 


On  the  Lake. 


.      "How?"  1^^ 

"I  think  I  can  get  Jist^Jje  fort  if  I  go  my  own  way." 
"And  am  I  to  stay  behind  ?" 

."No.     I  only  waiit  to  take  the  lead  untU,  we  get 
through,  this  treacherous  chajWiel.^*  ' 

"Why  not  go  to  the  opposite  side?"  asked  Harry,  in 
a  whisper,  when  he  saw  Surefoot  keep  the^  canoe  as 
close  to  the  Ticonderoga  bank  as  possible. 

"'Cause  they  will  be  on  the  lookout  there;  they'U 
never  think  enemies  will  pass  so  close  to  'em.'* 

There  was  logic  in  Surefoot's  reasoning,  and  Capt 
Leonard  knew  that  he  had  acted  wisely  in  giving  the 
temporary  command  to  his  subordinate. 
"^"Ue  down  in  the  boat,  keep  yout  musket  cocked,  and 
be  sure  not  to  mcjvre  till  I  tell  yqu." 

Harry  did  as  h©  was  told,  wondering  all  the  time  why 
such  a  command  should  be  given. 

Surefoot  laid,  down  also,  his  shoulders  just  raised 
sufficiently  to  enable  him  to  touch  the  water  with  his 
paddle.  a 

Pe  pushed  his  boat  under  the  branches  of  the  trees 
until  it  was  almost  hidden  from  sight. 

It  required  tihe  greatest  dexterity  to  propel  it  under 
such  conditions,  but  Surefoot  had  become  an  adept  in 
such  work. 

Sometimes  the  boat  would  remain  perfect^  still,  and 
Surefoot  would  whisper:^ 
^.^.^andian^  - l-  -^^  -1. 


■-*  r 


\ 


-t 


On  the  Lake. 


125 


>» 


.  Harry  scarcely  breathed*  He  did  .not  feel  comfort- 
able; he  would  rather  have  sat  up  in  the  canoe  and 
blazed  away  at  any  enemy  who  might  show  himself, 

though  he  knew  such  a  thing  would  be  madness.     

The  gentle  ripple,  ripple,  ^pple  of  the  water  was  so 
soothing  that  Harry  fell  asleep.  . 

"Glad  to  see  that,"  muttered  Surefoot ;  "now,  if  he 
doesn't  snore,  I'll  pull  safely  past  the  fort." 

A  few  minutes  later,  and  he  could  hear  the  steady 
tramp,  tramp  of  the  sentries,  and  even  their  voites  were 
distinguishable. 

.  Unde^  the  branches  of  an  enormous  pine,  which 
clipped  the  water  and  cast  a  black  shadowHFbr  many 
yards,  Surefoot  halted. 

His  quick  ears  heard  two  men  talking. 

Nearer  and  nearer  they  approached  the  water,  until 

Surefoot  knew  that  they  were  leaning  against  the  very 

pine  tree  whose  branches  hid  him  from,  their  sight. 
"Montcalm  will  lead  the  forces  himself." 
"But  it  will  not  be  so  easy  a  victory  as  Oswego." 
"N'o,   though    we    shall    pull    through,    and— Who 

knows?— may  plant  the  French ^ag"  over  all  these  col-  " 

onies." 

"Isn't  the  English  Loudoun  getting  ready  for  an 
attack  on  Quebec  ?" 

"Ha!  ha!  ha!"  laughed  the  other^ heartily;  "England 


hasn't  enough  men,  or  ships  to  carry  them,  to  do 


any 


'!  ;i^l..*if  • 


M4 


§> 


■jist 


126 


A  Close  Gdl. 


good  against  Quebec  It's  the  strongest  fortress  in  the 
world." - 

"Where  is  Montcalm  now  ?" 

"Some  say  at  Crown  Point." 

The  speakers. moved  away,  and  Surefoot  dipped  his 
paddles  in  the  vWiter  and  moved  slowly  forward. 

Though  the  dfficers  had  spoken  in  French,  the  old 
trapper  understood  every  word,  and  was  glad  to  be 
able  to  give  Harry  some  valuable  information. 


-t 


CHAPTER  XX. 


A  CLOSE  CALL. 


^.. 


Harry  awoke,  and  opening  his  eyes,  saw  the  clear 
sky  above  him  through  the  branches  of  the  trees. 

'T)on't  move,  dpn't  speak  1"  Surefoot  hurriedly  whis- 
pered, as  he,  with  a  stroke  of  the  paddl^,  sent  the  frail 
canoe  skimming  under  the  branches  neaf  the  bank. 

It  glided  along  noiselessly,  and  Harry  scarcely  felt 
it  move.  ,        . 

Suddenly  Surefoot  s^t  up  in  the  boat  and  seized 
somethhig  with  such  force  that  the  canoe  was  almost 
iiDset.  * 

Harry  raised  his  head  and  saw  Surefoot's  hands 


-'■!-«; 


lelroinfT^und  thc^mat  of  a  sturdy  Indian,  who  wa» 
seated  yi  a  canoe.  \       ,  > 

V 


. '    V .  '.Jktiiii  ■.1. J  ■»  t. '  .,>ici^  A  ji  «S#t 


A   Close  Call. 


117 


-f. 


.'-»-* 


Tighter  and  tighter  clinched  the  finggs  tuitil  the  red- 
skin's e^es  were  bulging  from  their  sockets,  and  the 
glassiness  of  death  showed  how  well  the  work  had  been 
done. 

Surefoot  stretched  the  dead  Indian  m  the  bottom  of 
the  canoe,  and  pushed  it  toward  the  bank,  where  he 
secured  it. 

He  dipped  his  paddle  in  the  water,  and  again  the 
canoe  glided  forward. 

Not  a  word  did  he  speak,  not  a  tremor  was  visible. 
He  might  only  have  performed  one  of  the  most  ordi- 
nary occupations  of  life. 

Harry,  accustomed  as  he  was  to  seeing  humail  life 
taken,  trembled  at  the  cool  manner  of  his  associate. 

Surefoot  saw  it,  and,  as  soon  as  opportunity  offered, 
explained  his  action. 

"If  I'd  gbne  past,  he'd  raised  the  alarm  and  our 
scalps  wouldn't  have  kept  bur  heads  warm ;  if  I'd  shot 
him  I  should  have  given  the  alarm,  and  the  effect  would 
have  been  the  same  f  if  I'd  knifed  him,  &ere  would  have 
been  a  blood  stain  for  'em  to  see,  and  so  I'd  got  to 
strangle  him." 

"Where  are  we  now?" 

"A  few  miles  beyond  Tlconderoga." 

**May  I  not  use  the  paddle  now?" 

"Yes ;  strike  out  to  the  middle  of  the  lake,  we  shall 
be  safer." 


!ilT 


"We  shall  be  seen." 


i^.-^W«&)fc'^ 


t-  .«  to  A  l_ 


'JKjA 


■■'**- ^o'.4 


.-\ 


w 


128 


A   Qose   Call. 


"That  may  be,  but  do  as  I  say." 

Harry  kneW  the  old  trapper  was  right,  and  obeyed 
the  instructions.  ^.  \    ■,•■•■ 

It  did  not  take  long  to  reach.  Crown  Point,  and  Harry 
saw  at  once  what  extensive  works  the  French  had 
erected. 

"WheVe  are  we  to  land?' 

"Two' miles  north  of  the  point." 

"And' walk  back?" 

"Yes/"      '  \ 

"Id^n'tsee " 

K  we  land  south  of  the  point, 


-"^"Leave  that  to  me 
we  shall  be  questioned ;  if  north,  why,  all  the  country  is 
in  the  hands  of  the  French,  and  they  will  think  we 
belong  to  them." 

,  It  Was  nearly  midnight  before  Suref^t  deemed  it 
advisable  to  land. 

'^ Harry  was  almost  irritable,  for  he  thought  they  were 
wasting  time  needlessly. 

But  the  old  trapper  knew  what  he  was  doing,  and 
'When  the  blackness  of  night  closed  in  he  unfolded  his 
plan.  f 

"I  im  a  North  Woods  trapper,"  he  said,  "and  know 
every  I  step  of  the  way;  you  don't.  So  I  shall  pass  you 
ofiF  a^  a  Canadian  hunter,  and  you  will  have  to  bring 
news  jof  the  Canadians."  ^ 

**Blit  how  can  T  ?    I  shall  make  some  mistakes.*^ 


"TJiaf 


's  just  it ;  so  you  must  be  content  to  use  your 


I- 


t 


^ 


%.'. 


«W  !*f  V         J  !riS/i<^*'.' 


^.■ 


^ 


eyes  and  let  me  do  all  the  palavering.  Put  on  this 
squirrel-skin  cap." 

Surefoot  took  from  his  knapsack  a  cap  such  as  was 
worn  in  those  days  by  a  Canadian  hunter. 

He  threw  the  one  Hajry  had  been  wearing  into  the 
water.  .  '' 

The  two  men  were  now  dressed  alike,  and  Ipoked 
hunters  they  professed  to  be. 

Hiding  their  canoe  securely,  the  trapper  led  the  way 
toward  Crown  Point. 

A  Canadian  picket  challenged  him.  / 

"What  I  challenge  an  old  trapper  ?  What  is  the  mat- 
ter with  you,  Nick?" 

"Who  calls  me  by  name?" 

"I  do,  your  old  companion  of  the  St.  Lawrence. 
Many  a  day  we  fished  together  and  set  snares  side  by 
side."  .     / 

"Ha !  ha  I  ha  1  I  did  not  know  you.  Where  are  you 
bound?"  • 

"To  Crown  Point." 

"You  cannot  enter  the  fort." 

"Yes,,  we  can.  My  friend  here  has  news  that  even 
the  general  will  thank  him  for." 

"Montcalm?" 

"Yes,  the  marquis  himself,  if  he  is  there?*' 

"He  is  there,  and  all  is  for  action.    We  are  going  to 
-thrash  the  Yankees^^ut^  tlteir  boote  and  tcH  tiie  Eng^ 
lish  to  go  home." 


/  tjV/i^- 


.b^^.M'lVti'.5^.i-.-. 


J'  - 


130 


A/ Close  Call. 


"That's  just  whait  I'd  like.  Can't  we  do  without 
King  George's  meri  here?'* 

"I  should  say  sd,  but  if  you  have  news,  you  had  better 
hurry  up,  and  if  anyone  stops  you  whisper  'Fleur-de- 
lis,*  and  you  can  pass." 

"Good-day,  Nick;  let  us  hope  we  may  fish  in  the  St. 
Lawrence  many  a  time  tc^ether." 

"Did  you  know  him?"  asked  Harry,  apprehensively. 

"No;  never  heard  of  him  before." 

"You  knew  his  n?ime."  * 

"That  was  a  guess." 

"How  so?" 

"My  ears  are  not  large,  but  they  are  quick.    I  heard  . 
two  men  talking,  and  I  caught  the  name  Nick.    As  soon 
as  I  heard  this  one  speak  I  knew  he  was  not  the  one 
who  used  the  name." 

"I  did  not  hear  any  words ;  you  are  a  splendid  fel- 
low  " 

"Have  to  be  quick-eared,  if  you're  in  the  woods. 
B'ars  and  Indians  are  mighty  quick." 

"You  knew  the  man  was  a  fisherman?"  ' 

"Guessed  it  again.    I  heard  St  Lawrence  mentioned,'^ 
and  I  saw  the  sentry  was  a  fisherman  by  the  way  he 
held  his  musket.    He  thought  l^e  had  a  fishing-rod  in 
hii6  hand,  so  I  used  the  positive  argument,  passed  the 
■entry,  and  got  the  password.** 


^ 


"Perhaps  it  is  not  right." 


•  »%■ 


■  ■^•\l-:'!kiiry'.  '   4ik\ 


-    «  '.^sv 


»  .i 


i   '  .\'y4iJtfh^Mi^i^%A^iJI&MZ^^'^f£M^i<i    M-»i^, 


•'  'I.: 


A  Close  Call. 


131 


\ 


"We  can  soon  tell ;  here  is  another  fellow  ready  for 
us." 

"Who  goes  there?"  ". 

"Friend!" 

"The  word?"  .        * 

"The  word,  is  it?  I  thought  three  words  were 
necessary." 

"What  are  they?" 

"Fleur-de-lis I"  .    '    ^^ 

"Right!    Pass  on,  fripnd." 
,  Without  any  trouble  the  two  hunters  entered  the  fort 

Both  used  their  eyes  to  good  effect,  though  seeming 
not  to  notice  anjrthing. 

Surefoot  asked  to  be  shown  to  the  general's  head- 
quarters, ^as  he  had  news  of  the  greatest  importance. 

There  was  considerable  doubt  as  to  whether  it  was 
right  to  accede  to  his  request,  but  the  Chevalier  de 
Levis  came  ffbrn  his  tent,  and,  after  hearing  the  trap- 
per's request,  bade  them  follow  him. 

He  led  them  to  the  Marquis  de  Montcalm,  to  whom 
Surefoot  told  some  very  stale  hews,  and  then  asked,  as 
a  reward,  permission  to  follow  the  army  through  the 
,  forest,  that  he  might  secure  some  pelts.  ► 

There  was  such  seeming  sincerity  in  Surefoot's  man- 
ner that  Montcalm  thanked  him  for  the  trouble  he  had 
taken,  and  gave  him  the  desired  permission. 

They  left  the  tent  and  were  strolling  round  the 


taking  notice  of  everything  and  hearing,  all  that  was 


-»!iS«iiSS'i»v*»-&»^kV.;')M 


--      f 


J     *^S«     ^s  5^  J 


45-;i''».,:wn-.  -),^>v;;:^>,-v«>e"i'^':;r9Ti.|t    - 


ij-2    "While  There's  Xife  There's  Hope." 

said  of  the  coming  march  toward  Fort  WiUiam  Henry, 
when  a  guttural  sound,  expressive  of  astonishmemij  ' 
caused  Harry  to  lodk  round. 

He  nearly  sank  to  the  ground  with  ..fear  when  he 
recognized  his  old  enemy,  Red  Wolf. 

There  was  but  little  chance  for  escape  should  he  be 
known  to  the  Indian.  .  ^ 

All  doubt  was  set  at  rest,,  for  the  savage  howled  with 
delight:      \« 

"Harry  Leonard,  Virginian,  you  will  have  to  die 
now!" 

The  two  men  were  instantly  surrounded  and  the  fort 
resounded  with  the  cry  of  the  Canadians : 

"A  spy  I     Kill  the  spies  r 

While  the  French  shouted  with  angry  vpices : 
*A  bas  le  espionf* 


** . 


CHAPTER  XXI. 
"while  there's  life  there*s  hope." 

Like  a  lot  of  hungry  wolves  the  Omadians,  French 
and  Indians  surrounded  Harry  Leonard  iand  Surefoot. 

"A  has  le  espionr—down  with  the  spy-rshouted  the 
French,  while  the  Indians  showed,  by  their  gesticula- 
tions, that  they  thirsted  for  the  blood  of  the  two  men. 
Harry  folded  his  arms  and  looked  as  cool  ag  if  ^h^^ 


were  on  dress  parade. 


M^ 


fc^ivwH.,  '-ii*.    tJ.     »•  w  M'3vi5&<et^.    "lijijuli^  «1*  Wf*^'-      , 


^t^^&^_.\s» 


"While  Thcre»s  Life  There's  Hope."    133 


Surefoot  was  equal  to  any  emergency,  and  in  good 
French,  spoken  with  a  Canadian  accent,  asked  that  he 
should  be  taken  at  once  before  the  Chevalier  de  Levis. 

The  Indians  clamored  for  the  white  men's  scalps,  but 
the  regular  soldiers  knew  that  Montcalm  would  rtever 
allow  summary  vengeance. 

The  spies,  if  such  they  were,  must  be  tried  and,  if 
guilty,  executed  in  a  proper  and  military  manner. 

There  was  a  conflict  between  the  civilized  aad  the! 
savage. 

-    For  a  time  it  really  looked  as  though  Red  Wolf 
would  succeed  in  securing  the  captives. 

The  Chevalier  de  Levis,  hearing  the  commotion,  sent 
to  know  of  its  meaning. 

"Spies  I  No,  by  the  Heur  de  lis  of  France,  it  cannot 
be.    They  are  good  Canadian  hunters." 

He  summoned  all  before  him. 

Red  Wolf  was  furious.  The  savage  could  not  brook 
the  delays  and  caution  of  the  civilized  soldier. 

What  mattered  one  man  more  or  less  ? 

He  argued  altogether  from  the  Indian  standpoint, 
and  thought  there  was  too  much  fuss  made  over  a 
couple  of  buckskin-dressed  white  men. 

In  fairly  good  French  Red  Wolf  denounced  Harry, 
calling  him  by  name. 

Our  young  veterap  was  still  cool,  and  looked  as 
■Jthough  he  were  surprised^at^the  recognition.   —- 


"I  ought  to  know  him  I"  shrieked  Red  Wolf.    "H«re 


I 
1 1 


i 


S.^).-^  %£*■„ 


:     'H- 


f*--:^lW^mP^fW^^' 


ii34    "While  There's  Life  There's  Hope. 


)> 


isl  the  scalp  of  his  grandfather,  and  diis  is  the  scalp  of 
h^s  grandmother."  ^     \ 

|De  Levis  looked  at  Harry  as  Red  W6Jf  exhibited  the 
hdrrible  relics  of  his  crimes,  but  Uie  young\scout  allowed 
np  tremor  to  be  visible.  -  '      V  * 

|His  face  never  blanched,  his  nerves  were  under  am- 
tr<j)I.  /  V.^^  •  ■" 

jEntering  at  the  time  when  the  savage  was  exhibiting 
the  trophies,  Montcalm  st6od,  white  with  suppressed 
passion. 

fMon  DieuT  he  exclaimed,  with  fervency,  "has  my 
country  fteed  of  such  sawages  ?" 

He  ordered  Red  Wolf  from  the  tent  and'  looked 

.v- 

calmly  at  the  accused. 

"Trappers?"  he  asked.  j 

**Yes,"  answered  Surefoot,  truthfully. 

Montcalm  looked  steadily  at  the  old  trapper,  and 
declared  with  emphasis; 

"I  believe  you."         '  / 

"Thank  you,  general.  I  shaJI  always  remember  your 
kindness."  /  ' 

"Where  are  you  feoing?" 

"That,  general,  <^epends  on  you.  We  are  your  pris- 
oners, and,  therefore,  must  do  as  you  shall  bid." 

The  speech  pleased  the  general,  who  was  a  good- 
hearted  fellow.        *  .  (^ 

**You  brought  news  which  you  thought  useful?" 


"We  did." 


.•> 


^ 


«,;    '    I.  k-k^-ilS  i'ii'-'^fi*>''H>»j^^/t'i'i»ii!si    .pKif.«iifc.f.,2' 


■,4 


lie  V  in  -  X 

:V'  '  .     .      ■ 

%..    "While  ThercVLife  Thcre»s  Hope."    135 

I'illf     "I       1 ^ ■ 

"And,  of  course,  you   would  prefer   Montreal  to 
\  Crown  Point?" 

"Indeed,  general,  if  I  could  find  myself  on  the  St. 
X^wr^nce  I  should  be  "happier  than  at  present." 
**  "Then  to  Montreal  you  shall  go.  I  will  arrange  an 
escort,  and|  when  you  reach  Montreal,  the  general  com- 
manding will  investigate  as  to  your  statements.  If 
they  are  correct,  you  shall  be  free.  If  you  cannot 
satisfy  him  you  will  be  hanged.    Good-day."      ^        ^ 

It  was  exceedingly  cool  on  the  part  of  th^  French 
general;  but,  if  Surefoot's  story  wad  true,  then  the 
escort  would  be  of  great  advantage,  and  our  friends 
ought  to  have  been  well  pleased. 

The  Chevalier  de  Levis  called  an  aide  and  gave  him 
certain  orders  in  an  undertone. 

Surefoot  had  no  opportunity  of  speaking  to  Harry, 
but  signaled  him  not  to  attempt  any  excuse  or  offer 
the  slightest  resistance. 

A  corporal's  squad  escorted  the  prisoners  to  a  loag 
inclosure  close  to  one  of  the  ^ig  guns. 

"We  are  in  a  fine  mess  now,"  Harry  whispered,  when 
he  was  sure  they  were  alone. 

"Yes ;  but  our  lives  are  safe." 

"Do  you  thmk  they  will  ta^e  us  to  Canada?" 

"I  have  my  own  idea.  I  think  they  wUl,  leave  tis 
here  while  they  march  on  Fort  Williai#  kenry." 

"Then  we  .shall  be  safe."  < 


rji^  -1 


A 


"Why  so?V 


•N 


^^'>^it^ 


i^^^kv'^L^   -' , 


1   »■■ 


A -■:■/' 


y: 


136    «|Whilc  There's  Life  Thcre»$  Hope." 

"Our  people  will  drive  the  French  back  to  Canada.'* 

"I  am  not  so  sure  of  that.  Hush,  some  one  comes." 
^  An  ofl|cer  wearing  the  Canadian  uniform  entered  the 
little  inclosure  and  acted  with  the  intention  of  making 
the  prisoners  believe  he  was  their  friend. 

"My  friends,  you  have  been  very  daring." 

"Yes,"  answered  Harry,  "we  have  dared  many  perils 
to  reach  you,  and  receive  but  scant  thanks  for  our 
services."  ^ 

"Ha !  ha !  ha !    So  England  is  very  ungrateful,  eh  ?" 

"England?" 

"Yes ;  you  did  not  expect  your  enenues  to  thank  you. 
Don't  say  a  word.  I  am-  your  friend ;  I  know  more 
than  you  think,  Capt.  Harry  Leonard." 

"You  believe  that  savage?"  a^ed  Harry,  contemptu- 
ously. 

"Not  exactly,  but  a  white  man,  a  trapper,  one  who 

spent  many  a  day  with  a  good  sort  of  fellow  on  the 

-lakes,  who  went  by  the  name  of  Surefoot,  recognized 

you-" 

"How  could  he?" 

"I  do  not  mean  you,  captain,  but  your  friend,  Sure- 
foot, here." 

"Do  you  call  me  Surefoot?"  asked  Ae  trapper. 

"Not  if  you  object,  but  there  are  several  who  have 
sworn  that  is  the  name  you  are  known  by,  and  the 
general  believes  them. 


»> 


' 


'Indeed  r 


a 


•  vll<J!uis, 


\ 


I 


/ 


"While  There's  Life  ThereV  Hope."    137 

Surefoot  was  as  calm  and  cool  as  ever,  jtnd  Harry 
betrayed  no  apparent  concern  in  the  story  of  r^w^ni* 
tion.  """"-.  '    ^-x/^ 

"You  know  if  you  are  Surefoot,  you  will  be  hangec^." 

"Shall  I?" 

"Yes,  and  your  friend  as  well." 

"Shall  we  get  a  decent  burial  as  well  as  a  lofty 
death?"  / 

"You  laugh  1"  .  L 

"Why  should  I  not?  The  Marquis  de  Montcalin 
has  promised  to  have  tjs  escorted  to  Montreal,'  and, 
once  there,  my  friends  will  prove  my  identity." 

"You  need  not  go  to  Montreal."  / 

"But  I  wish  to  do  so."  '  / 

"If  only  you  would  tell  me  hdw  many  men  the  Eng- 
lish have  at  Fort  William  Henry,  you  could  go  whfere 
you  pleased."  .  > 

Harry  forgot  his  caution.  He  sprang  forward  and 
closed  his  fingers  round  the  Canadian's  throat. 

Surefoot  had  great  difficulty  in  dragging  him. away; 
the  soldier  was  on  the  verge  of  fainting. 

"A  man  who  would  tempt  another  to  betray  his  coun- 
try's cause,  whether  that  country  is  France  or  England, 
deserves  no  mercy!",  exclaimed  Harry.  >^ 

"You  admit  you  are  Ehglish?"  came  feebly  from  the 
Canadian.  ' 


/; 


"I  admit  nothing.    If  I  were  a  Frenchman  taken 


idmi 


'i^sii^is^ 


X: 


13^ 


Edcape. 


pristilner  by  the  English,  and  any  Englishman  asked  me 
to  betray  my  country,  I  should  kill  him,  if  I  could." 

ThA  Canadian  staggered  out  of  the  inclosure,  fuming 
with  ngt  and  hate.       * 

''I  c^ldn't  help  it,  Surefoot;  the  man  made  me  so 
mad." 

**  Weli.  we  must  take  the  consequences ;  we  are  recog- 
nized, a«id  your  action,  confirms  it.  We  shall  most 
likely  be\hanged  to-morrow  at  sunrise." 

"We  art  not  dead  yet,  and,  as  my  old  granddad  used 
to  say,  'wnile  there's  life  there's  hope.* 

"I  never  despaired  yet,*»and  I  shan't  commence  until 
I  find  the  rope  rotund  my  neck,  and  then — it  might 
break,  you  imow." 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

ESCAPE. 

An  hour  after  Harry's  assault  on  ^  C^adian,  the 
prisoners  heard  the  tramp,  tramp  of  the  soldiers  leav-^ 
ing  the  camp.  \^ 

Thei-e  was  considerable  noise,  and  evidently  tlie  en- 
tire army  was  i^iaking  r«idy  for  a  march.     .  ^^^ 
/^The  big  guns  were  limbered  up  and  went  lumber- 
ing through  tht  gates  of  the  fort. 


le  door  of  the  prison  Ivls  openeC 


*E 


v'  ■ 


,JLi'.         -ii 


Escape. 


139 


and  Harry  quickly  overpowered,  gagged,  and  bound 
to  a  tree  which  formed  part  of  the  inclosurc  wall. 

Others  served  Surefoot  in  the  same  way,  and  the 
two  prisoners  were  as  secure  as  ropes  could  make  thcih. 

Surefoot  did  manage  to  ask : 

"Is  this  the  way  the  great  French  general  keeps 
his  word?" 

No  answer  was  vouchsafed,  and  a  gag  m  his  mouth 
prevented  further  utterance. 

All  night  they  were  left  in  the  most  uncomfortable 
position,  without  food  or  even -a  drink  of  water,  though 
they  were  parched  with  thirst. 

The  next  day  food  was  brought  them  and  the  corda 
unfastened.  « 

There  was  no  chance  of  escape,  that  they  well  knew, 
for  a  consideraWt  force  of  Canadians  was  Jeft  to  guard 
the  fort  and  prevent  the  prisoners  fron^making  too  free 
with  their  leg^  ^ 

Each  night  they  were  bound  and  gagged  in  the  same 
inhuman  fashion,  until  SurefoQt  believed  they  ^ere  to 
be  tortured  to  death,  and  this  treatment  was  but  lOie 
initii^  step.  \ 

Buring  the  day  they  were  never  alone,  so  could  not 

devise  any  means  of  escape,  or  even  comfort  each  other. 

-Once  Surefoot^  began  singing  an  old  trapper  song, 

which  had  nothing  more  treasonable  in  its  sentiments 

than  references  to  snares  and  trapSt  but  he  was  quickly 


silenced  by  being  thrown  down  and  gagged. 


i- 


'.f\^ 


■V,, 


''■J 


X40 


Escape. 


^4^ 


For  ten  days  they  endured  this  horrible  torture. 

The  trapper  was  determined  to  end  it  Death  was 
preferable  to  such  suffering. 

He  saw  the  same  sentiment  expressed  in  Harry's 
eyes,  and  was  nerved  to  make  an  attempt  at  escape. 

If  he  failed,  he  could  but  die. 

The  guard  had  got  to  be  a  little  more  careless  in 
binding  the  prisoners  at  night,  and  while  they  knotted 
the  cords  in  the  sam<e  manner,  they  were  not  so  par- 
ticular in  seeing  that  they  were  secure. 

Surefoot  fell  into  position  and  allowed  them  to  tie 
his  hands  to  his  sides ;  the  rope  was  then  wound  round 
his  body  and  the  tree,  and  his  ankles  securely  tied  with 
the  other  end  of  the  rope.  {. 

Harry  was  pinioned  in  the  sahie  manner;  both  were 
gagged,  and  they  were  leiMf"  the  night. 

About  midnight  all  W/dMu,  save  only  for  the  tramp 
of  the  sentry  as  he  pasled  and  repassed  the  prison.  j» 

Surefoot  quietly  rfipped  his  hands  out  of  the  rope, 
and  the  rest  was  eaSy.  \     ,        ,       * 

"All  I  did,"  he  explained  to  Harry,  "was  to  extend 
my  muscles  t|^^ their  utmost  when  I  was  being  tied; 
then, "when  I  was  ready,  the  cords  slipped^  over  my 
hands  without  any  effort  of  mine."  ~"  V 

He  unloosed  Harry,  and  whispered  to  him  his  plan 
of  escape.  ^^ 

The  rooi  of  the  prison  house  only  extended  hatfygy^ 


leaving  the  other  part  open. 


W-  . 


*^ 


s^"-' 


-..* 


Escape. 


»4I 


Cautiously  Surefoot  emerged  into  the  open  air  and 
waited  for  the  sentry  to  pass. 

Unsuspiciously  the  soldier  did  so,  only  to  find  him- 
self suddenly  seized  from  behind,  and  to  hear  the 
words  whispered  in  his  ear: 
"Make  the  slightest  noise  and  you  are  a  dead  man  I" 
He  was  carried  into  the  inclosure  and  fastened  more 
securely  than  Surefoot  had  been. 

He  pleaded  for  mercy,  and  was  assured  th^  they 
meant  him  no  harm  if  he  remained  silent. 

The  coast  was  clear  on  the  lake  side  of  the  fort,  but 
Surefoot  wanted  to  reach  the  forest,  and  there  was 
another  sentry  to  be  disarmed. 

This  was  not  so  easy,  for  the  man  would  miss  his 
comrade  and  be  on  the  alert. 

'Xeave  him  to  me,  but  be  ready  to  follow  without  a 
word,"  Surefoot  whispered. 

The  twb  men  crawled  ^long  as  noiselessly  as  Indians 
on  a  trail,  the  old  trapper  leading. 
The  sentry  was  approachhig. 
The  night  was  so  dark  that  he  could  not  be  seen. 
When  he  was  opposite,  Surefoot  sprang  upon  him, 
bearing  him  to  the  ground  with  s<ich  force  that  the  man 
was  effectually  silenced  for  the  time. 

But  it  was  necessary  he  should  be  gagged,  ^d  Harry 

stuffed  a  handkerchief  into  his  mouth,  securing  it  with 

:^other,  not  pverclegn,  belonging  4^-  Surefee^r 


Appropriating  the  muskets  and  short  swords  of  the 


.,.- l!Ki?ii4iJ'•..*.A■:^il^■. 


M- 


/ 


.  iw    ^'i^5 


i4a 


Escape. 


sentries,  the  two  Americans  passed  through  the  gate 
and  left  the  earthworks  behind  them.    "^ 

Surefoot  led  the  way  into  the  forest,  and  managed 
the  journey  so  d^verely  that  they  eluded  the  vigilance 
of  the  pickets. 

"Better  than  hanging,  eh?"  -  * 

"Yes,  Surefoot,  but  I  don't  know  that  we  are  out 
of  the  woods  yet." 

'*We  are  in  the  woods  deeper  than  ever,  cap'n,  or  I 
shouldn't  make  free  to  smoke  a  pipe."  ^ 

"You  know  what  I  mean.    Which  way  shall  we  go?" 

"The  enemy  will  have  got  to  the  fort  afore  this." 

"Yes." 

**So  it  is  no  good  gcing  there." 

'•You  think,  Canada?" 

"I  do.". 

"So  do  I.    Hush,  I  thought  I  heard  footsteps." 

The  old  trapper  was  as  quiet  as  a  mouse  at  once. 
He  stretched  himself  on  the  ground  and  listened. 

"By  all  the  traps  I've  ever  set,  my  boy  is  coming!" 

"Littie  Surefoot?" 

"Yes." 

"How  do  you  know?" 

"I  can  tell  his  steps  a  mile  off,  but  he  ain't  a  quarter 
away." 


'■ih^^t". 


'■:  t-f 


TT  ""3   ' 


~iT:'■•:r^-!ff■:^ 

^^'^^v 

h^'V.:'- 

»   ". 

*■ 

,    ■, 

' 

te 

1 

i 

i 

* 

\ 

■    t 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

THE    MASSACRE   AT   P0RT   WILUAM    HENRY. 

0 

The  trapper  was  right.  In  a  very  few  minutes  little 
Surefoot  was  standing,  staring  in  astonishment,  at  his 
father  and  Capt.  Leonard. 

^Vhere  were  you  going,  Idd  ?'* 
^^T<|^berate  you  and  the  cap'n/' 
JHkw'd  you  know  ?" 

^^Bi  old  Canadian  trapper  told  me;  but,  dad,  it's  all 
up.  The  fort  has  fallen  and  all  killed.  I— slunk  away 
in  the  woods  alcxie." 

"What?" 

"Fort  WiUiam  Hen^fallen  r 

"Yes ;  Montcalm  has  driven  the  English  out." 

'Tell  us  all  about  it." 

"It  was  this  way,  dad,  asking  your  pardon,  cap'n. 
About  eight  days  ago,  I  was  out  scouting,  and  I  saw 
an  all-fired  lot  of  French  and  Kanucks,  and  just  as 
many  redskins,  camped  not  far  from  the  fort. 

"I  hurried  back,  and  I  pushed  my  way  through  un- 
til I  saw  Col.  Monro  himielf,  an'  says  I:  'Colonel, 
we're  in  for  it  hot  now  P  Then  says  he :  *What's  the 
matter,  boy  i"  I  told  him  and  he  laughed ;  he  just  shoolc 
himself  laughing;  and,  I  saw  as  how  he^ida't  believe-^ 


me.    So  says  I:    *If  I  am  a  younker,  I'm  Surefoof» 


¥/* 


**i. 


1 44  The  Mas^re  at  Port  William  Henry. 

son,  aj^'*  Litde  Surefoot  knows  a  trail  as  well  as  his 
dM;' don't  I?" 

"That's  right,  boy,  I  guess  you  do." 

"When  I  saw  ^e  colonel  laughing  I  came  away,  but 
he  called  me  back.  'Did  you  see  'em?*  says  he,  and 
says  I :  'I  did.'  Just  at  that  pertickler  time,  a  tall 
chap  on  horseback,  with  a  white  flag,  rode  up,  and 
says  he:  'I  have  a  letter  for  Col.  Monro.*  *That's 
me,'  says  the  colonel.  I  heard  him  read  the  letter,  and 
I'm  quick  at  picking  up'  things,  so  I  remember  what  it 
said."  •     , 

"Tell  me  the  content^,  my^boy,"  said  Harry. 

"  'I  owe  it  to  humanity,'  them's  th€  very  words,  *tq 
summon  you  to  surreiider.  ii'fcan  restrain  the  savages 
now ;  but  if  you  fight  4nd  m?4ce  an  obstinate  defense,  I 
cannbt  promise  to  be  able-^tb  do  it.  You  have  no 
chance,  and  it  is  only  a  question  of  a  few  days,  and  I 
am  sorry  for  the  unfoktunate  garrison.  I  demand  an 
answer  within  an  hoiur.' "  '  - 

*'What  did  the  colonel  reply  ?" 

"The  colonel,  God  bless  him,  drew  himself  up  and 
haughtily  replied:  Tell  the  Marquis  de  Montcakn  I 
shall  fight  to  the  last.* 

"Then  the  work  commenced.  The  fort  had  only 
seventeen  guns,  and  some  of  them  very  small^  while  the 
paries  vous— — ** 

"The  French,  you  meMi." ' 


■'  •     \ 


I 


'The  French  had  heavy  guns.    All  night  we  cottld 


tCv> 


'■'.,. -A     ,..iA-:D>iiSi£:l\ 


^^-^ 


•9  g  f  % 


The  Massaqre  tt  Fort  William  Henry.  145 


hear  the^enemy  at  work  throwing  up  parallels.  ,We 
kept  firing,  but  no  one  seemed  to  be  hurt,  and  we  were 
just  .wasting  ammunitioii.  We  kept  on  firing,  though 
the  French  were  in  trenches,  and  ?o,  protected.  The 
4inemy  got  the  left  battery  ready  first,  and  eight  big^ 
guns  began  tja  boom  and  bellow. 

"TKe  gutislw$ie^red  all  day,  and  on  the  next  mora* 
ing  the  battel  op  the  right  opened  fire,  I  was  deaf 
with  the  lioise,  and  wished  I  was  trapping  b'^ra  in- 
stead of  being  there.  The  colonel  sent  for  more  men 
from  Fort  Ejlward.  Col.  Webb  had  plenty,  but  what 
does  Webb  db  but  send  a  letter  saying,  'Giye  m,*  and 
Col.  Monro  n^as  stark,  staring  jtnad.'  He  ordered  us  to 
fig^t  an  the  harder.'*  ^  ' 

"How  far  ^ere  thehrenches  away  f rpm  the  ior^?* 
Harry  asked.  -  >', 

VThey  had  crept  up  to  within  .two  hundred  jfanb 
or  so,  and  the  Indians  were  cl<Me  upon  us.  We  made, 
two  sorties,  but  they  were  of  no  use;  three  hundred 
of  our  men  ^ere  killed,  and  we  knew  that  another  bat- 
tery was  being  mounted,  by  the  French. 

"The  colonel  called  lis  all  together  and  says  he: 
poys,  it's  no  use,  we've  got  to  give  in.' 

"Col.  Monro  offered  to  capitulate  if  he  was  aUowed 
to  go  out  carrying '^arms  and  baggage.  The  Fyench 
agreed  to  these  ter^Is,  and  we  all  were  to  niarch  over 
tfaejntrenched  camp,  teavii^the  sick' and  wounded  in 


the  care  of  Montcalm. 


/.*! 


>   * 


"i     **  1 


»      k 


..  i^i.i  i>|ig^Tipii^ 


■,,fiifc|-. 


*7H'- 


146  The  Massacre  atFort  WiUiam  Heniy. 


r 


"Three  hundred  French  sol<fiers  were  sent  with  us 
as  an  escort.  Btitf  no  scxmcr  had  we  got  away  from 
the  fort  than  Red  Wolf  *and  his  savages  swarmed  rouhd 
j^  us  like  a  great  storm  cloud.  Low  mutterings  were 
heard,  and  then,  before  we  knew  anything,  tht  savages 
fell  upon  us  arid  the  French  fled. .  Mest  of  our  people 
were  butchered,  women  and  children  all  kilfcd.  It 
was  sickening.  I  got  away  and  started  for  Crown 
Point  with  the  hope  of  getting  there  in  time  to  liberate 
you,  for  I  heard  you  were  both  prisoners.   That's  all." 

For  a  few  moments  there  was  silence  after  Little 
Surefoot  had  conclude  his  narrative. 

It  was  Harry  Leonard  who  broke  the  silence. 

'Have   you  heard  anything  about   Sabbath  Day 

Pcnnt?" 
There  was  breathless  interest  in  the  answer  to  be 

given. 

.    "Putnam  still  holds  it,  but  he  sent  tfie  ladies  s^oss 

the  lake,  and,  come  what  may,  they  are  safe." 

"I  am  glad." 

"So  am  I.   Boy,  I'm  proud  I'm  your  father." 

"But  you  won't  be  proiid  long  if  you  stSy  here." 
.  "Why?" 
■  "The  savages  are  swarming  through  the  woods  in  all. 

«  ;^rections. 

"What  would  you  advise,  boy?" 

"Make  for  the  lake.    Ck)  North,  find  out  aH  w^  cai% 


and  return. 


n 


■ft<'^ 


\^'' 


I 


;*u^.iiiL4./^|; 


^<i*'t 


,.f  ♦t^.'l  ■ 


I.' 


;-^, 


On  Lake  Champlain. 


«47 


"How  easy  that  sounds." 
/'  "Dad,  I  don't  like  your  hesitation.    You  have  got 
something  on  yourWnd." 

"I  guess  you're  right.    I  tell  you,  boy,  I  never 
thought  I'd  be  parched  like  this." 
,   "Fever?"  , 

"No.", 

"What' then,  dad?" 

"I  want  Red  Wolfs  scalp.  I  want  to  fcnow^he  is 
dead.  I  shall  never  be  happy  until  I  see  his  face  set 
in  death.    I  nefer  felt  alike  it  afore." 

"The  time  will  come.  We  can  do  nothmg  against 
him  now." 

^  "You're  right.    It  goes  agen  the  grain,  but  I  guess 
I'll  do  as  you  say.    Eh,  cap'n,  what  say  you?" 
"I  wHl  follow  your  lead." 


-V 


CHAPTER  XXrV. 

ON   LAKE  CHAMPLAIN. 

"Woods  or  lake?"  asked  Capt.  Leonard,  when  it 
tvas  decided  to  make  for  Canada. 
"Lake."        ^ 
"Can  we  get  boats?" 


"I  know  where  we  can  find  two,"  said  Surefoot 


'■"^   > 


.  Hi  <^ 


^%f 


¥" 


'!.>,  •'v 


3S? 


;.'^ 


148 


i 


Qn  Lake  Champlain. 


'^.■ 


*^- 


**Youdo?" 

Ate,  and  in  an  hour  we  will  be  pad- 

_  _^ ters  of  old  Chanrt)lain." 

Suref oot  was  as  ^ood  as  his^ord ;  an  hour  brought ' 
the  party  tp  the  edge  of  the  Wkc,  and  the  old  trapper, 
after  counseling  the  two  toi'lay  low"  and  not  even 
breathe  lod^,  >ft  them  to  ind  the  ^^ 

He  had  seen  than  from  Crown  Point,  and  to  reach 
them  had  to  go  so  near  thd  fort  that  he  could  hear  the 
Yoices  of  the  pickets.  '     y 

By  great  good  fort^rfie  there  was  a  whole  fleet  of 
bark  canoes*  left  by  t!ie  Indians. 

He  selected  three,  and  securing  them  together,  let 
his  paddle  touch  the  water  so  noiselessly  that,  had  the 
banks  been  lined  with  Indians,  they  would  never  have 
known,  from  souni  that  the  old  trapper  had  stolen 
their  best  canoes. 

"Step  in,  and  follow  me  in  Indian  file.  Keep  dose 
to  the  bank,  and  paddle  silently." 

Harry  followed  the  trapper,  and  UtUe  Surefoot 
brought  up  in  the  rear. 

They  were  guided  entirely  by  Surefoot.    When  he 

stopped,  they  did,  when  he  struck  out  boldly  they  were 

ready  to  follow  his  exaiftple.  ^ 

Sometimes  Surefoot  wcmld  thmk  he  heard  a  sound 

— in  thewoods,  and  thiffl  he  would  rest  qmetfy  and  listen. 


■■%' 


A  signal  had  been  agreed  upon,  and  had  often  been 


«<. 


"J ft. 


■.!•  ■i'ihi'ji>nd''^.iiShakt^h£}Uli 


Ml 


i 


..^^^^ 


....y 


■:\1 


V 


■  /: 


%    .^ 
h*  ** 


On  Lake  Champlain. 


»49 


practiced  by  Harry,  so  that  he  was  as  proficient,  as  the 
trappers.  , 

?'   It  sounded  like  the  rippKng  of  the  water  among 
some  fallen  boughs  on  the  bank  side.  »^ 

No  one  would  think  it  anything  else,  and  f^lhat 
reason  it  was  all  the  more  valuable. 

Little  Surefoot  gave  the  signal^and  his  father  an- 
swered it. 

All  three  rested  on  their  paddles  and  listened. 

The  trapper  backed  silently,  and  H^n^^derstood 
that  he  wWto  do  the  §ame. 

The  three  canoes  w^re  abreast,  and  Little  Surefoot 
whispered :  '  - 

"Indians!" 

"Guessed  as  much." 

"South  of  us." 

"Right  again,  boy.  Pull  under  the  trc6,  as  close 
to  the  bank  as  you  can,  and  be  ready  for  a  fight  if 
absolutely  necessary." 

^  "AltThe  time  the  trapper  was  talking  his  son  was  inif 
itating  the  gentle  ripple  of  the  waters,  and  so  drowned 
the  sound  of  the  Voice. 

Within  a  few  minutes  a  number  of  Indians  came  to 
the  water's  edge  and  began  chattering  among  them- 
selves. 

It  was  evident  they  expected  the  canoes  to  be  there, 
Jj>4  our  Inends  sooa  "^ 


Surefoot  said,  and  reasoned  ijt  thus !: 


iiriiSt    ^tir-    >    /4  >  »l»-    ■»,!■  I'd*""      ..  •'•      1 


_       i'>H.'    ,      ^W> 


ISO 


On  Lake  Chaiiplain. 


A  party  of  Indian?  was  to  go  to  the  lake  and  bring 
the  cano«  to  the  point  where  Surefoot  then  was,  so 
that  the  whole  company  might  embark." 

"Captives,"  whispered  Harry.  , 

"Yes ;  lie  low,  we  may  be  of  Service." 

Surefoot  drew  his  canoe  cl6s<^  to  the  side,  and  with 
the  greatest  caution  stepped  out  to  reconnoiter. 

Pe  was  as  silent  as  any  Indian,  and  managed  to 
reach  the  camp  without  being  perceived. 

He  heard  an  old  IroqViois  say  that  the  captives  were 
to  be  taken  to  the  woods  near  where  Plattsburg  now 
stands,  and  there  tortured  and  killed. 

The  old  trapper  stole  noiselessly  back  and  whim- 
pered to-his  companions  what  he  had  heard. 

"We  may  rescue  them  if  we  act  cautiously.** 

"Let  us  try  it;  even  if  we  fail,  we  can  but  die,"  re- 
plied liarry. 

The  Aree  crawled  up  the  bank,  and,  musket  in  hand, 
reached  the  Indian  camp. 


f.  -  -■ 


^hey  were  able  to  see,  in  the  glimmer  of  light  from 
^e  camp  fire,  that  quite  a  number  of  women  and  chil- 
/dren  were  captives.         «  ^ 

Harry  thought  he  recognised  a  sister  of  his  particu- 
lar friend,  lieut.  5ykes,  of  the  Massachusetts  Volun- 
teers. 
At  a  giv^  signal  Harry  rose  to  his  feet,  and,  as 

.Aoagh  at  the  head  of  a  rcgmmti^ J^ave^^  a^kM  cgg:L 


•    ■'»' 


mand: 


* 


^'^;: 


■hj^. 


,.^Mk'itr  *'jlk 


^  A%r 


SAuS^M 


-y- 


W:--^ 


A  Race  for  Life. 


»5» 


"Now,  boys !  up  and  at  them  I  Avenge  your  broth- 
ers, and  save  your  country  I" 

The  Indians  looked  at  each  other;  the  captives 
shouted  for  joy,  and  Harry,  followed  closely  by  Sure- 
foot  and  his  son,  leaped  into  sight.     ^ 

"Come  on,  boys,  and  victory  is  ours  I"  the  youthful 
hero  shouted. 


''•■*  \.l 


re- 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

A    RACK  FOR    LIFE. 

The  few  Indians  guarding  the  captives  were  alarmed, 
and  in  their  terror  threw  down  their  weapons,  which 
^Ij^ere  instantly  seized  by  the  men,  who  were  now  roused 
to  another  eflfort  to  save  their  lives. 

"t)d|i't  fire!"  shouted  Harry,  as  he  saw  some  of  the 
_ca2tiyes„jrepare  to  discharge  ^he  muskets  which  they 
had  picked  up.  ir 

The  Indians  fled  toward^e  lake,  and  at  Harry's  ad-, 
vice  the  whole  of  the  captives  commenced  shouting  and 
marking  time. 

As  their  feet  moved  in  regular  tread  in  the  under- 
growth and  dry  grass,  anyone  in  the  distance  would 
think  at  least  ar.htindred  men  w^  on  the  march. 
^_„"That  wjii^iQQol^ffiplr  goose,"  Surefeet  femt 
he  heard  the  tramping. 


"■i 


*     A5- 


jj-L*  t..'.i.i,'^!(^*^ 


■ 


■';f- 


^-• 


15a 


A  Race  for  Life. 


"Yoii  think  they  wiU  not  return?" 

"I  feel  sure  of  it." 

"I  don't;  i  fency  we  have  a  sangumary  fight  before 


tt 


Harry  ^^  right. 

The  Indians  begancraaUing  back  to  their  late  <amp, 
trusting  rather  to  t^Wdence  of  their  eyes  than  their 

ears. 

Seeing  how  few  in  number  their  enemies  were,  the 
savages  grew  l^er,  and  a  shower  or  arrows  fell  round 
the  little  body  of  white  people.  ^ 

H^rry  had  formed  the  men  into  a  hollow  square, 
placing  the  women  in  the  center,  with  orders  that  they 
we^e  to  lie,  or  crouch,  on  the  ground. 
/*'Don*t%"e  until  I  give  the  order,  and  then  be  sure 
niat^vefy^hot  picks  off  a  Savage."    -  ^t^ 

/    The  Indians  trusted  more  to  their  arrows  than  the 
few  mfiskets  they  possessed. 

Harry  saw  at  a  glajice  that  the  savages  were  badly 
armed,  and  inwardly  rejoiced. 

Fortuijately  the  arrows  fell  wide  of  the  mark.  The 
coolness  of  the  white  men  disconcerted  the  savages  so 
much  that  they  fired  at  random.  Growing  a  little 
bolder,  the  Indians  left  the  shelter  of  the  tree?  and  ex- 
posed their  painted  bodies.     ' 

"Firer  . 

A^volley  edioed  through  the/tregs,, and  eight  of  the^ 


^V 


/ 


Indians  fell  dead,  wlffe  another  was  wounded.  Agam 


-'Aft4. 


./.- 


f  '^^ 


lifiA^ 


t  "•'^4' 


■r 


^M 


\  the     / 


A  Rtcc  for  Life. 


The  sava^^es, 
cou|^  not  under^ 
them,  and  conclu 
to  the  assistance 


HZ 

they  sought  the  shelter  of  the  wood,  and  answered  the 
voUef^y  a  shower  of  arrows  and  a  few  shots. 

The  impatient  one's  among  the  whites  wanted  to 
rush  after  the  savages,  but  Harry  restrained  them. 

"Remain  cool ;  we  shall  win  easier  that  way." 

He  was  right. 

|ed  to  the  dash  of  soldiers, 
the  English  did  not^attack 
large  army  must  be  movin^^ 
le  captain.  • '     ,,,       - 

That  idea  gained  ground  so  rapidly,  ^that  in  a  few 
minutes  the  Indians  fled.  "  ./ 

Instead  of  making  for  the  lake,  they  took  to  the 
woods.  \-    -•  -m. 

"Now,  then,  follow  me  to  the  lake  as  quickly  ^  you 

-cairmovryour^eetl'^ed  Hairy,  ahnott ^. 

As  he  expected,  there  were  a  number  of  canoeg  there, 
and  placing  the  won^n  and  children  in  thm  first,  he 
directed  the  men  to  paddle  across  ^^m  Vermont  side 
and  s^k  safety  where  they  pould:  ^^ 

The  captives  were  rejoiced  at  their  freedom,  and 
the  women  hugged  and  kissed  Capt.  Leonard  and  Sure- 
loot,  while  Little  Surefoot  was  looked  upon  as  the 
greatest  hero  they  had  ever  known. 

The  English  were  well  aWe  to  take  care  of  them- 
selves, so  our  three  scouts  paddhed  north,  hoping  to 
reach  rannda  4tn4  leam^^somethg^ ^SfaWwduId  he  oT 
advantage  to  their  cause. 


=^^. 


"¥, 


r^rrr 


154 


A  Race  for  Life. 


r 


They  had  now  no  regrets  at  the  prospect  of  playing 

the  spy. 

The  inability  of  Montcalm  to  restrain  the  savages 
had  destroyed  all  feeling  of  chivalry,  and  they  were 
ready  to  use  any  means  possible  to  work  the  defeat  of 
the  enemy.  «       "* 

Paddling  up  the  lake  was  slow  work,  for  the  woods 
on  either  side  swarmed  with  savages  who  were  ready 
to  kill  friend  or^foe,  in  order  to  obtain  an  extra  scalp. 
Their  supply  of  food  had  given  out,  and  it  was  nec- 
essary to  obtain  more. 

After  discussing  all  the  probabilities  of  danger,  Sure- 
foot  directed  them  to  make  for  a  dark-looking  wood 
to  their  right,  where  game  would  be  sure  to  abound. 

It  was  safer  for  aU  three  to  land  and  share  dangers 
together. 

Hiding  their  canoes  under  the  heavy  brush,  the  three 
made  their  way  into  the  woods. 

Surefoot  led.  riile  «  hand,  ready  for  anyj^e,  large 
or  small.  "  •  •  ^     «, 

Harry  followed,  and  Little  Surefoot  brought  up  the    ^ 

rear.  ^  "  c         '       j» 

The  only  way  to  traverse  the  woods  was  in  Indian     \ 
file,  li^  the  trails  were  two  narrow  for  two  to  walk 
abreast. 


wa?  delighted,  f  " 


f 


5'yr  »"•?•' 


4i*'    <* 


— X 


A  Race  for  Life. 


Iff 

A  fine  stag  crossed  the  trail,  and  the  unerring  aim,^ 
of  the  trapper  brought  the  lordly  animal  to  the  ground. 
Though  fatally  wounded,  it  fought  desperately,  until 


Surefoot  could  get  near  enough  to  pSnge  his  knife 
into  its  heart. 

**We  must  get  back  to  the  canoes  at  once;  that  shot 
may  raise  an  alarm,"- said  Harry,  who  had  grown  very 
cautious. 

A  small  sapling  was  cut  down  and  the  stag  slung 
upon  it. 

The  weight  was  enough  to  tax  the  strength  of  two 
of  them  to  the  utmost. 

Little  Surefoot  was  behind.  / 

His  quick  ears  detected  the  approach  of  Indians. 

"Run  I  it  is  our^only  chance,"  he  whispered. 

The  old  trapper  fell  on  his  knees  and  placets  t9r 
to  the  ground. 

**Red8kins,  and  lots  of  them !" 

"I  cannot  run  with  this  stag." 

"We  must  leave  it." 

'.  Quicker  and  quicker  the  three  ran  along  the  narrow 
trail. 

Fast  as  they  went,  the^Indians  were  gaining  on  them. 

All  three  were  out  of  breath,  but  it  was  no  use  stop- 
i)ing. 

^ JITiexcould  hear  tbe^ Jadians  aow^  «id  a^trarttttcir 
would  now  and  again  fall  near  the  fleeing  scouts. 


irfutei'vS^stJ/K^tuAstVi'  .'t,ij':W\Lki)Jt'  ' 


■.v.» 


r'-T,"'<*'l''S-'! 


i.* 


A  Race  for  life.* 


V 


tS6 

It  was  a  trial  of  speed  and  endurance ;  which  would 

win? 

"Come  along,  cap'n.    We've  only  a  short  distance  to 

go-"  X    * 

'^Go  on  without  me!"  gasped  Harry,  who  was  fast 

losing  strength. 

"Not  for  all  the  redskins  this  side  the  St.  Lawrence. 
If  you  stop,  we  do,  too."  * 

That  stimulated  the  young  captain,  and  he  made  a 
spurt,  keeping  up  witii  the  experienced  hunter. 

They  were  out  of  breath,  and  their  muscles  were 
stramed  until  the  pain  was  most  intense,  but  all  three 
kept  on  until  they  saw  the  lake.  ^^. 

Into  the  canoes  they  leaped,  nearly  ^psiring  them 
in  their  haste. 

The  paddles  sfinick  the  water  with  rapid  strokes,  and 
by  the  time  the  Indians  reached  the  bank  of  the  lake 
the  scouts  were  out  of  range  of  their  arrows. 
"You  have  s^ved  us,"  heartily  exclaimed  Harry. 
"But,  by  the  skins  of  all  the  b'ars  in  the  forest,  my 
^  legs  ache,"  answered  Surefoot     .     ^ 

"And-4.  don't  think  I  can  ever  dtend  again,"  added 
his  son.    "We  lost  the  «tag." 

"Yfes,  and  it  will  be  some  time  before  we  get  any- 
thing  more  to  eat."  > 


"I  am  not  hungry?*  ~ 

**You  will  be  when  3rou  are  rested.* 


if 


■  i 


■•"v    ,-,     >ii 


! 


,  ,       V 


*■'   ^M<'J 


^ 


*&; 


■     t 


' The  Rousing  of  England.  157 

Surefoot  shor  ahead,  and  the  others  knew  it  was  a 
signal  for  silence.  # 

In  single  file  they  followed  th«  trapper  through  the 
narrow  channel  known  as  the  Gut. 

As  they  passe<fBow  and  Arrow  Point  a  shower  of 
arrows  struck  the  water  alFround  them,  but  fortunately 
without  doing  any  damage.  * 
-  Again,  at  Knights  pfiint,  they  were  beset  witlf  dan- 
gers which  th«Atened  their  lives,  but  they  safely  en- 
tered Great  Back  Bay. 

U  Molte  Isle  #as  so  strongly  fortified  by  the  French 
that  Surefoot  thougHllt  better  to  take  the  route  through 
the  great  bay,  rather  than  the  more  direct  course. 

Going  to  the  extreme  north  of  the  bay,  Surefoot 
led  the  scouts,  across  the  narrow  stretch  of  land  and 
reached  the  Richeli^  River  in  safety. 

Here  they  struck  a  hupter's  camp  and  broke  t^eir 
fast,  the  first  time  in  over  sixty,  houn. 


<.»r 


if 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

THE    ROUSING    OF    BNGLAKD.  '        . 

England  had  at  last  awoke  to  the  fact  that  she  was 
engaged  in  a  great  war. 


It  was  no  longer^  question  of  boundaries,  but  the 
possession  of  a  continent 


.  i' 


\*;. 


.'(■'-■^ 


'X*  . 


r 


■  M  ' 


\'' 


^f'"^'*l 


ii8 


The  Rousing  of  England. 


1 


% 


Canada  had.  not  been  thoroughly  explored,  but  men 
across  the  Atlantic  were  beginning  to  realize  that  the 
little  island  called  Great  Britain  was  but  a  speck  on 
the  world's  map  when  compared  with  Canada  and  the 
colonies  of  North  America. 

As  JSpain  had  sent  forth  Columbus,  not  for  the  sake 
of  extended  geographical  knowledge,  but  for  conquest, 
increase  of  territory,  and  consequently  larger  markets 
for  Spanish  merchandise,  so  France  and  England  each 
sought  to  have  entire  control  of  the  continent  ofljorth 
America.  **,      '^  ,- 

The  people  Of  Canada  called  themselves  French^ 
while  th*4|)irteen  colonies  south  of  the  St  Lawrence 
and^the  lakes  dubbed  themselves  English. 

England  knew  that  France  saw  clearly  into  the  fu- 
ture, and  realized  that  the  New  World  would  become 
a  potent  factor  in  the  coming  ages. 

England  looked  matters  squarely  in  the  face  and  set 
about  the  work  of  reconstructing  the  army  in  a  busi- 
ness-like manner. 

The  people  of  the  old  country  laughed  at  Lord 
Loudoun,  and  ridiculed  him  for  sowing  onion  seed  in 
all  the  fields  round -^Halifax.  He  defended  himself 
by  saying  that  onions  were  a  preventive  of  scurvy. 

England  retorted  that  he  was  sent  to  capture  Louis- 
burg,  and  not  to  turn  onion  fanner. 

The  ifninlstf  y  Gt  the  Duke  of  Newcastle  endcdi  and" 


the  "great  commoner,"  William  Pitt,  formed  another. 


V, 


'k) 


">^^    t  v^jim'lliich'^ 


•^i*^'^ 


if^ 


The  RousiM^of  England.  159 


„     Lord  Loudoun  was  ordered  home,  and  the  conutiand 
•  ^    f  ^  of  the  army  given  to  Gen.  Abercrombie. 

But  Pitt  knew  better  than  to  place  sole  reliance  on  a^ 
n^w  figure-head. 

Hfe  selected  thp  suboi'dinate  officers  Jiimsfilf,  and,  to 
the  .consternation  of  the  Aristocratic  Party,  raised  Col. 
Amherst  to  the  position  of  major-general,  and  g^ve 
I        him  command  of  a  division.  -  /- 

Young  Lord  Howe,  brave,  amiable  and' skillful,  was 

next  in  command  to  Abercrombie,  while  James  Wolfe 

-       led  a  brigade.   Admiral  Boscawen  was  put  in  command 

of  the  fleet,  consisting  of  twenty-two  ships  of  the  line 

and  fifteen  frigates. 

Pitt  did  more  than  select  his  officers.    He  gave  them 
specific  work  to  do. 

Like  Napoleon,  he  disbelieved  in  the  impossible, 
^'  and  a  man  who  talked  of  the  impossible  found  no  favor 
in  Pitt's  eyes. 

^■-      Amherst,  acting. with  ,the  fleet,  was  to  capt^Louis-  ■ 
burg.  .  ^      i^-K 

Howe  was  to  reduce  Srown  Point.and  Tic<mderoga, 
while  Forbes  was  directe^ja  drive  the  French  out  of 
V        the  Ohio  vaDey.       ^  !&  i^ 

While  the  men  selected  by  England^re  on  their 
way,  Capt.  Leonard,  with  the  two  trappers,  had  worked 
his  way  through  the  Richelieu  River,  passed  through. 
Lake  St.  Peter  and  inte^  tiie  St.  Lawrence; 


I 


f 


— _ — ^^^ 

With  a  daring  almost  unprecedented,  they  Succeeded^ 


I  N  -    - 


'W^ 


•t^ 


'^ 


l60r 


Rl 


ismg 


in  getting  ^to  Quebi:;  and 
exaifaining  the  fortifidt^iis, 
of-  eveiy^iing  of  imp^i^cc 
chance  ftjttvefsation 

IjtO 

irefoofe 


'Iflaking  inquiries^  imd  li^rned 
ly  fishing-l)oats  in  '|||;e  Bsiy  of 

^lil  thai  ^sotne  of  them  sailed  ac}^  th4  bay 

Jirfi^'hC' f§im  to  a  port* in  Nova  Scotia,  as-Aere  was  a 

niarit:et  tl^ere  for  certain  kinds  of  fish.  ^' 


> 


'   V  '       ^fe*"^  spent  many  an  anxious  hour  over  ||te  ton- 


''.V.*'^ 


••].' 


^mplation  of  his  finances. 
i'^     Money  was  getthig  very  short,  and  there  wfi  a\long 
^    jourtiey^before  the^  ^  '       ^         /       \  '' 

He  knew  tl^ere  wovild  be  no  need  of  money  dQwii  the 
St.  John,  but  ivhen  the  Bay  of  Fundy  \^  reached, 
considerable  might  l>e  required  to  insure  psk^age  across. 
.\  For  two  long,  weary  months  the  three  Irampcd  over 
the  hard  and  ffozen  ground,  footsore  and  weary^  but 
animated  with  the  hope  that  thejr  might  ^ye  informa- 
tion which  would  be  of  use  to  the  English. 

It  was  near  the  middle.of  May.  before  tmmfnrhri 
St.  John.  '         , 

'  A  more  <^^w^ble  trio  never  ^^^'^SHfl^^  ^f  <^  1 

jtown.^' ';,_^§^^ _ !rf 

Thkr  buckskin  cl<^«i^  were  tora^lHimM,  4nd 


\ 


m.  ' 


■I 


!^»*-?^. 


ptes     i" 


.♦^j" 


med    • 
r   of 
bay 
as  a 

ton-  . 

long 

Lthe" 
iied, 
foss. 
jover 

I  but 

rma- 

i,     ■    ■ 

ched 

0fa  ,| 


> 


\ 


The  Rousing  of  England.     ^       f6i 


were  only  held  together  by  long,  sharp  skewers  of 
wood. 

Surefoot  had  lost  his  squirrel  cap,\and  wore  a  piece 
of  deerskin  tied  over  Jiis  head  as  a  covering. 
*         They  had  lived  on  anything  they  could  find. 
^^^Their  ammunition  had  nearly  given  but,  although 
friendly  trappers  had  many  a  time  added  to  their  store 
and  given  them  a  fresh  start;  but  for  three  weeks  no 
(  one  had  been  found  willing  to  giv^  voluntarily,  and 
our  friends  ha<i  no  money  tb  spare  to  buy  ammunition. 
"By  the  great  stag,  it's  Surefoot  !'\^^  . 
The  trapper  started  as  he  heard  his  name  mentioned 
on  the  streets  of  St  John,  aj^wn  he  had  never  set  foot 
in  before.       "  "^      .      ' 

He  looked  jat  the  speaker. 
"Am  I  right?    Or  have  my  old  eyes  deceived  me? 
Are  you  not  die  trapper  of  the  North  Woods,  we  used 
>  call  Sun8foot?'*- 
"I  do  not  know  you/' answered  Surefoot 
"Not  know  old  Deerfoot?    Not  know  the  oM  trap, 
per  of  the  Lac  du  Slint  Sacrament?"       ' 
"I  do  know  y^|f  ^.    But  how  came  you  here  ?*' 
'^^^sM'^^f^Wt^^yry,  but  I  have  a  house,  aild  a 
^g(M  mit,  too,  k:t^^        may  be  better,  some  good 
T#ood  for  an  ^Id  trapper,    ^c,  and  I  will  teli  you— 
ay,  even  «  yqu  do  hold  ^th  ihoee  pm^  vous  who 


,,    "We  can  trust^,f  Svfiispeiia  Surefoot  to'  Harry. 


«S^J» 


*^A  .^^ 


t 


.iii-    Si  >siifO 


-X 


il 


»^ 


•  ''X 


•'iff',   J» 


w,« 


-u 


( 


162  The  Rousing  of  Englaijd. 


The  ex-trapper  led  the  way  to  a  niojiest  log  house, 
wh»e  he  cntCTed  and  introduced, .4^  friends  to  a 
chartrting  woman,  whose  lineaments^  Iproclaimed  her 

Indian  blood:  j      ^        | 

"That  is  my  secret,"  hi  said,  pointing  to  his  wife. 
"I  loved  a  Mohican;  her  tribe  destined  her  for  a  young 
brave,  but  she  preferred  me.  We  ran  away,  and  as 
we  thought  it  well  to  put  a  good  distance  between  us 
and  the  tribe,  we  never  stopped  until  we  came  here  ' 

"And  what  do  you  trap  now,  friend  Deerfoot?" 

"I  fish ;  J  have  four  of  the  loveliest  smacks  on /the 
bay,  and  to-morrow  I  leave  with  two  of  them,  l4den 
with  good  St.  John  salmon,  for  Acadia." 

Surefoot  gave  an  expressive  lool^  at  Harry,  ^d  m- 
wardly  congratulated  himself  on  having  so  useful  an 

acquaintance.  /  ^ 

"I' would  like  to  cross  to  NoVa  Scotia,"y4aid  Sure- 
foot,  "arid  my  son  and  friend  ^Ould  Jike^o  go,  toa" 
„     "Hal   Then  I  am  right," 

"In  what,  friend?"  /  v 

''You  call  me  truly,  Iriend/  for  were  t  not  thy  friend, 
the??  I  might  giv«  thee  up/to  the  Frfiiich,  ^d  a  good 
henipcn  rope  would  clasp/the  necks  <Sf  each  U  you." 

"Friend  Peerfoot,  I  yirell  remenlber  that  tlhou  wast 
good  at  a  jest,  and  m^thinics  the/hapftr  na(|c  of^  turn- 
ing a  point  is  thirty  still.".  /  ' 


\ 


"AHhougli  the  trapper  "Spok/iightiy,  hir|heart 
heavy,  and  he  was  full  of  misgivings.         i    • 


,.|-!ti  ..  ,,i. 


-  .1 


» 


*f 


1^ 


/ 

/' 


:....^^ 


S,  .V' 


i 


.^v/ 


Soldier's  Duty.^, 


;., 


63 


"I  jest  not.  •  ^urefoot  would  never  pin  the  enemies 
.of  his  country,  and  though  I  live  on  good  terms  with 
^the  pries  vous,  they  all  know  that  I  would  be  glad  if 
they  would  go  home  to  their  own  country." 

the  fisherman  gave  theip  a  hearty  welcome,  though 
he  was  rather  too  boisterous  in-his  talk,  especially  at 
a  time  when  they  Mrere  entirely  surrounded  by  enemies. 
He  gave  them  good  mattresses,  on  which  they  slept 
with  as  great  a  sense  of  comfort  as  if  they  had  been  in 
the  king's  palace. 


.%^— 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

A  soldier's  duty. 

The  cock  in  the  chicken  yard  began  crowing,  though 
it  was  not  near  morning. 

Harry  raised  himself  on  his  elbow,  awoke  by  tfic 
strange  noise.  jgii^ 

Accustomed  to  all  sorts  of  signals,  he  wond^ed 
whether  the  cock-crowing  was  not  one.  /    \' 

His  mind  was  set  at  rest  by  hearing  Deerfoot  open 
*«  ^^«  of  his  room  and  throw  something  at  the  bird. 

I^mj^was  just;  settling  himself  to  sleep  again,  and 
thej^Ps  iio  wonder  he  enjoyed  the  luxury,  a?  it  had 


been4cirlongweek?sinceTT€^Ti¥rilcpt~oiaa^ed,^^ff 


the 


Joor  opened  and  Deerfoot  entered. 


$  %^-  ?A 


-  "^ 


V;^ 


m\ 


•MicrV  Duty. 


-•■ay-!''  ■■|i ■ 

--;;;— ;;Xhe^''ed  Sureloot  and  his  «». 

Off 'the  mattress  pPB(«^5 

.*  "Get  up  I    Quickl- 

£*  "What  B  itr  *  •  ''  A,* 

f.   "Hush!    I  «as  so  gUd  to  see ,, thee  yestre^-that^- 
^*I  spl  loud,  and  I  have  just  heard  that  unless  y^ 
*  WstanitrUaassples^^tadbette.^-^ 

fishing  smack  at  once."        '      ^       ^    ^^^o,^,?"  asked 
«tutyou,sir?    WUl  you  not  be  in  danger?    asked 

Hatry.  chivalrously.      >  _     _  * 

"Not  I.    There  is  not  a  man  m  all  St  if «  ^" 

««fr  i#  T  were  to  shoot  at  the 
wbijd  inj-ure  me— no,  not  if  l^^ere  w  ^ 

FrenaiKColonel  himself."  ef«.trhii 

The  three  scouts  rubbed  their  eyes  and  stretched 

^themselves.       ^,%  :,   V,    ')  •  ..   '^  '■      ,  r 

•:^^^TSiuseo^thes»^V.be 

,eady.J^>y  St  John.  rU'g*  70U^.«««  *» 

^^  an  *our  th,#^1«^^'-*%^?^^ 
before  the'wind^s  the  ?ay  ol^F'»^.  ^ 

Fitted  ,ut  in^  •»«"«  '"o*-'  *' ^^^^^ 
Jde  Ir  way  l^ss  the  island  and  reached  Hahfax 

^^  tVi#  twenty-eighth  of  May. 

on  the  tweniy  «s      ^.  ,  ^^j^g  a  num- 

Ml  ^as  exatement.    Amherst  w^^  .„iw  after  the 


%. 


'"^^     "  '  '-^ 


""ber  of  men.  wtio  were  gUd  io  be  ayim  on. 
.    perils  of  several  storms  at  sea. 


ii^ 


\  4 


.  <> 


/' 


/'"V^'^^-'/^^l'TPsc 


Q 


.^t 


A  Soldier's  Duty. 


i«5 


Louisburg  was,  with  the  exception  of  Quebec,  the 
best  fortified  place  on  the  continent.  \ 

Amherst  determined  it  should  be  captured.  \ 

Harry  made  himself  known  to  the  general  and  wmi 
warmly  received. '  \ 

"Capt.  Leonard,  dare  you  go  to  Louisburg?'" 
"Yes;  general."    ^*      . .  ;  -  i  '        j 

"Start  at  once,  lose  no  time.    AnyAin^  you  may 
need  wiU  be  supplied.    Be  back  here  in  four  days." 
\^A  soldier's  duty  is  to  obey,  and  Harry  started,  with 
Surefoot,  op  his  perilous  missioii. 

e  succeeded  far  beyond  his  expectations. 
Me  found  Louisburg  well  fortified,  and  having  a  cir- 
cunrference  of  a  mile  and  a  quart<!i-  of  weU-defended, 


^ 


v^iJe  ttoted  the  weak  points,  and  learned  that  about 
three  thousand  veterans  of  the  French  army  garrisoned 
the!,!  town.  In  the  harbor  the  French  had  five  Jiips  of 
the  line  and  seven  frigates,  carrying  five  hun^j^d 
f^yrty  guns  and  three  thousand  men. 

It  seemed  almost  impossible  to  capture  Louisburg, 
^l»l.,Parry  saw  that,  the  greater  the  difficulty,  the 
greater  the  honor. 

There  was  one  thing  which  Harry  noticed  and  dis- 
cussed With  Surefoot. 

jj^li^^^gst  defenses  were  on  the  land  side. 


But  the  craggy  coa^t,  the  dangerous  rocks,  the  wUd 


.J 


M.t    .'■» 


1 6^ 


A  Soldier's  Duty. 


whirtpools,  were  as  dahgerous  to  the  English  as  the 
coast  defenses  and  fortifications.  / 

Surefoot  was  sei^  back  to  acquaint  Amherst  with  all 
that  was  known,   ythile   Harry   stayed   some  hours 
longefivintending  tb  return  by  a  different  route. 
^  He  was  standing  on  a  rock  Over  which  the  waves 
of  Gabarus  Bay  were  dashing,  when  a  sentry's  voice 
challenged  him. 
Harry  did  not  answer,  for  he  had  no  knowledge  of 
.  the  sign,  and  he  trusted  rather  to  an  assumed  indif- 
ference than  anytWng  else. 
But  the  French  soldier  was  impatient  and  fired. 
Fortunately  the  shot  did  not  hit  the  target  intended, 
and  Harry  leaped  from  the  rock  into  the  waters  of  the 
bay, 

The  sentry,  seeing  the  scout  enter  the  water,  thought 
he  had  been  shot,  and  continued  to  march,  heedless  of 
having  taken  a  human  life. 
Harry  Leonard  was"a  good  swimmer,  and  keeping  as 
-  near  the  rocks  as  he  dared,  he  swam  toward  the  north- 
east cape  and  landed  near  the  lighthcy^. 

He  gained  valuable  informatron,  though  he  was  fear- 
ful  that  it  would  be  valueless  owing  to  the  delay. 

For  two  days  he  was  compelled  to  hide,  th^e  being 
no  chance  of  escape. 
The  morning  of  Jhe  second   of   Jfune  arrived,  and 


Harry  wasVesolved  on  ^jetting  back  to  HaSifax. 


%, 


'  -;ff-) 


A  Soldier's  Duty. 


iSj 


His  sharp  eyes  detected  ships  coming  up  over  th« 
hcnizon. 

How  his  heart  beat  with  expectant  hope  that  the  ves- 
sels were  Bri^sh. 

Soon  his  eyes  saw  the  ensign  run  up. 

How  he  wished  for  a  strong  glass.  ' 

Nearer  and  nearer  the  ships  of  war  came. 

Now  he  could  see  them,  and  knew  that  they  bore  the 
brave  men  from  England  who  would  drive  the  French 
from  the  land.  ! 

There  were  but  three  points  where  boats  could  get  to ' 
shore,  and  those  points  the  French  had  well  covered 
with  heavy  batteries. 

Harry  watched  and  saw  boats  lowered  in  order  to. 
make  a  clear  and  thorough  inspection  of  the  shore.  • 

They  approached  withitt  rifle  shot  of  the  shore,  and 
then  turned  back. 

A  wild  shout  from  Harry  was  heard  by  the  crew  of 
the  boats.      ,  ;  *^ 

He  sprang  into  t^e  water,  and  with,  bold  strokes 
made  for  the  boats.   A      /        ;   '^  v 

Instantly  a  shop^Qj  bullets  struck  the  water  all 

i^und  him,.  .•.:^' '  fl^'-::^- •  ■.' 

He  dived  and  swam  witii  rapid  strokes,  and  the  boat 
turned  back  to  meet  him. 

^.Alm^tdead  with.exhaustionyJ^ 
the  qrew  pulled  back  to  tlie  ships. 


/ 


"^i 


/i 


aSj 


..i^,^/ 


.  He  was  lifted  on  board  the  flagship  of  Admiral  Bos-    . 
cawen. 

^    Li^  had  nearly  left  his  body,  but  a  reaction  t<^oR 
place  when  he  heard  Surefoot's  well-known  voice. 

"Cap'n,  we  thought    you    a    goner,    but  we  were 
wrong."  , 

He  sat  up  and  looked  at  the  old  trapper^' amazed  and  .- 
bewildere^.  » 

He  could  not  speak  for  a  timd,  but  his  ears  were  as 
acute  as  ever» 

"You  cannot  land  the  troops,"  he  heard  Gen^Law- 
rence  say.        ^  4 

"No,  not  a  boat  could  reach  the  sliore  in  safety,"  as- 
sented  Gen.  Amherst.  . 

"What  say  you,  Wolfe?"  asked  the  admiral. 

"Say,  admiral?    Why,  that  I  wojild  rather  die  than 

'  belfiv^hed  at,  and  I  think  T  shouldjike  to  try,aqd  land 

my  men."     ,  ^ 

'     'jj^adness,'  Wolfe !     Every  point  is  well  guarded. 

L©ok  at  this  map.    White  Point,  Fresh  V\^ter  Cove 

,  and^¥''lat  Point  are  all  covered  with  heavy  batteries.^ 

"I  know  it,  W  I  do  not  like  to  fail." 

"Neither  do  I.    And  I  ^11  you,  ,Wolfe,  111  st^  hei'e  : 
a  ye&t  watching  an  opportunity,  for  I  like  yoty  pluck." 

"Bravo,  admiral/"  '  '       •     ' 

Everyone  looked  at  the  speaker,  whop3i$,horie  other 
than  Capt.  Harry  Leonard. 


*  .   V 


>t^^g^ 


k 


:  l 


^  If**     •     ^  :/     T 


,       \ 
■      «   \ 


'\s:i 


Surrender  of  Louisburg.  169 


%: 


■C- 


him  where  he  can  land,  and  I  can  take  him  into  Quebec 
as  wen." 

The  fellow  is,  delirious,"  sneered  Lawrence.      ' 
'No  I"  exclaimed  Wolfe,  emphatically,    "I  would 
trust  my  life  in  his  hands,  though  I  have  never  seen 
him  before."  I 

-He  grasped  Harrj^s  hand.         '    /  ^  ^. 
'  The  tears  came  in  the  young  captain's  eyes  as  he 
said: 

"Thank  you,  Gen.  .Wolfe.    I  hope  to  see  yott  raise 
Our  flag  above  the  citadel  of  Quebec. 


'// 


\-    . 


, »» 


». 


.§.,. 


iV     ,;;4 


*. 


.^.1. 


^ 


r> 


f  % 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

SURRENDER  OF  LOl^I^URG. 


"Yoy  think  the  young  Anglican  knows  better  than 


/*  /  -     experienced  soldiers  ?"  came^ialmost  sarca^ically  from 
Admiral  Boscawen.^  I  ■      ■  .     "^ 

Jl        "I  did  ndt  say  sp."  replied  Wolfe,  "but  that  youi^ 

sheer  valor  aiid  true  courage. 


';|^^. 


<^ptain  is  knownrto  us,  and  he  has  won  hi^  spurs  by 
sheer  valor  aiid  true  courage."  .    ' 

**     H  do  not  think  we  can  !and,"'*said  lAwrcnce,  "andA  # 


%l':. 


<» 


/ 


170 


Surrender  of  Louisburg. 


d.  landing.     If  I  fail,  you 'can  do  as  you  please;  if  I 
succeed,  1  expect  you  will  be  r^ady  enough  to  follow." 

Gen.  Wolfe  walked  forward  and  called  Harry  to 
him. 

"What  is  your  name  ?" 

Surefoot  with  the  easy  freedom  of  the  trapper,  an- 
swered quickly: 

"His  name  is  Valor,  Hero,  anything  which  denotes 
true  courage." 

Wolfe  laughed  at  the  quick  reply,  and  X-ittle  Sure- 
foot,  seeing  the  effect  of  his  father's  words,  thought 
he  ought  to  have  something  to  say. 

.  "I  know  what  Col.  Monro  called  him  at  Fort  William 
Henry."     , 

"What?"       . 

"Fighting  Hall  And  a  right  good  name,  too,  for 
you  never  saw  anyone  fight  as  he  does."  '    -" 

There  was  something  pleasing  about  the  easy  fam- 
iliarity of  the  Colonials,  and  Wolfe  liked  to  encourage 
it,;thougfh  sometimes  he  bit  his  lips  to- restrain  a  ^  mo- 
mentary atyger  bom  of  his. strict  military  education. 

"Fighting  Hal  is  a  good  name,  and  I  hope  I  shall 
have  proof  it  is  deserved,"  answered  Wolfe,  as  he  drew 
Harry  away  frbh^  his  j^iends  to  talk  with  him  about 
kndiner.  ,  •    '     ^ 

Midships,  the  officers  we^e  still  discussing  the  action 
of  Wolfe. - :      • 


-A 


There  was  a,  little  jealousy,  and  some  Would  have 


•A 


.•■  • 


» "  I  ■..'*■ 


-  -^■..<^-i.--^-.^^-7- 


\  Surrender  of  Louisburg. 


T^Z— 


^ 


\- 


'7» 

placed  difficulties  in  the  young  offiter's  way  if  they  had 
dared. 

"It  all  comes  of  divided  responsibility/'  said  one 
English  officer.  '  '"'  ' 

"Yes ;  Pitt  ought  to  know  that  in  war  there  must  be 
^  one  head,  and  not  many."      ^ 

Wolfe  knew  he  wis  free  to  act  foi^  himself,  and  the 
dthers  were  annoyed  at  his  obstinacy.      ,    . 

Lieut.-Col.  de  St.  Julien  was  watching,  through  his 
glass,  ihc  actioi|  of  Gen.  Wolfe. 

'  Xbe  Frenchman  had  a  thousand  vetierans  guarding 
Fresh  Water  Cove,  and  a  battery  of  eight  guns 
mounted  on  swivels. 

From  the  water  the  earthworks  duld  not  bq  seen,  as 
they  were  well  protected,  and  hidden  by  fir  and  spruce 
ti^ees  felled  and  laid  so  that  ^hiy  appeared  to  be  grow- 
ing. «"  ,  ^p        ^  , 

Harry  tojd  Wolfe  to  beware  of 'this  ipparent  safety, 
for  behind  the  spruce'  were  bristling  bayonets  and 
heavy  giins.  > 

Wolfe  had  some  g6od    men    under  him.    Fraser's 
Highlanders,  t>yelve  companies  of  grenadiers,  and  the  . 
light  infantry.-in  addition  to  the  New  Eiigland  Rangers. 
The  boats  were  lowered  on  the  sixth' ^f  June,  and 
the  soldiers  prepared  to  land,  %'  . 

.■Harry  w^s  inihe^boat  lyith  G^n^ 


=^w»- 


Jfirecting  operations. 


9^ 


.>'■ 


i 


,*  ,u. 


'M>^:f^ 


|: 


'd'r^J^ 


'»•: 


r 


17a 


Syrr(fn(ier  of  Louisburg. 


Evlati  amoog  the  subordinate  oflficers  there  was  jeaj- 
ousy,"and  die  lives  of  soldiers  were  imperiled. 

Wolfe,  by  a  signal,  warned  Lieut.  Brown  that  he 
was  guiding  his  boat  into  the  very  arms  of  the  enemy. 

Brown,  of- the  Ught  infantry,  signaled  to  Hopkins 
and  Ensign  Grant,'  who  commanded  other  boats,  and 
instead  of  sheering  off,  as  Wolfe  intended,  the  three 
boats  ftiade  straight  for  the  craggy  rocks  of  the  center 
of  Fredi  Water  Cove. 

The  boats  w6re  dashed  to  pieces,  arid  a  seething  fire 
'from  the  guns  was  poured  on  the  drowning  men. 

In  the  'meantipie  Harry  had  steered  Wolfe  to  the 
pSinthe  had  fixed  for  the,  landing^  and  the  soldiers 
scrambled  ashore.  v  *  *^ 

They  were  instaihly  met' by  the  Frencb,  and  quite  a 
number  of  lives  wer*  lost*" ,  ^ 

*'Come,  general,  we  can  carry  that  earthwork,'*,  cri^ 
Harry.        ,       .         v 

His  words  were  en|!«ising,  ^nd  the  men  dashed  for- 
ward, bayonets  fixed,  with  such  impetuosity  that  tW 
l»tt^ry  was  captured,  and  Harry  leaped  on  one  of  iSie 
^ns,  waving  the  English  flag  amid  the  shouts  of  the 
victors.  ^  -.  /  ■;  ^ 

Amherst  and  Lawi'ence,  seeing  that  Wolfe  bad  suc- 
ceeded, left  him  to  disft-act  the  attention  of  the  eneipy 
while  they  landed  at  the  other  end  of  the  beach. 

There  was  but  slight  resistance,   and   orders  were. 


given  for  the  guns  to  be  landed  at  Flat  Point. 


ir'V 


rts*'' 


't^ 


Surrender  of  Lduisburg.    ^  '       173 

The  coast  was  so  rugged  and  the  surf  so  violent  that 
it  was  twdve  days  before  the  first  siege  guns  could  be 
placed  on  shore. 

The  troops  were  making  roads  and  throwing  up  re- 
doubts to  protect  .the  points  they,  had\sarried, 

Harry  was  the  guiding  spirit  oi  W^'s  diyision^d 
he  suggested  that  the  battery  near  th^ghthOuse  could 
be  easily  silenced. .  i 

With  twelve  hundred  men  \Yolfe  made  his  way 
round,  foHowing  the  trail  marked  by  Fighting  Hal  to 
Lighthouse  Point. 

*n»e  French,  fihiiing  themselves  likeR  to  be  between 

two  fires,  abandoned  the  battery  and  fl^  to  the  town. 

t     ^^*  ^  captured  guns  and  mortars  Wolfe  com- 

^  menced-i^  hpivy  fire  on  the  French  war  ships  in  the 

bay.  _■  •  _:.'^v'..  "J 

T^e  fire  was  returned,  and  an  artillery  dtief,  the  se- 
verest of  the  whole  wkr,  was  commenced.    "^ 

Forday«  tfie  duel  <5)ntinued,.until  Wolfe  fell  short  of 
ammunition.^ 

>       He  obtained  a  new  supply  and  recommenced  the 
firing.  \     ^  .^  ;' 

A  suspidous-iooking  ship  was  gliding  n<»rer  and 
nearenhe  lated.  ^ 

She  was  apparebtJy  a  merchahtman,  but,  if  she  was 
peacefully  inclined,  it  was  strange  she,  Wibuld  jtake  such 
risks."  ''..•• 

I      ■■  '-.i.i..,..i    i—l .  —  i|..      ..i.i. nil  I     .1.1  .»  ..^1  ,m:  '     ■    i^—i I     ■      ■    T'       •■'—-— I      I        i^i     ■-      ■■ 

TTie  firing  wasaU  round  her ;  shells  and  ball§  passed 


"X 


-/i\ 


!<  i 


4 


'j1 


«( ' .  " 


1  ,       ' 


i',  '■-J-'i?S^.':4  di. 


174 


Surrender  of  Louisburgi 


'j^S 


over  her  sails,  aird  others  fell  into  the  sea  within  a  few 
•jBrds.  ^, 

,  Harry  was  standing  by  a  small  mortar  and  watching 
the  vessel.  «.  V 

Round  him  lay  the  gunners  who  had  been  sl^pt  as 
ther  stood  by  the  mcrtar.  .  '^' 

He  looked  at  the  vessel,  trained  the  mortar,  which 
was  loaded,  upon  it,  and  fired  a  shell  which  exploded 
on  her  deck.  '      .» 

Instantly  the  flames  curled  up  the  masts  and  envel- 
oped the  wholie  of  the  rigging  in  columns  of  fire. 

The  peaceable-looking  vessel  proved  to  be  the  French 
man-of-war  Celebre,  one  of  the  most  formidable  of  the 
enemy's  vessels. 

The  fighting  on  land  was  incessant. 

The  English  met  with  a  desperate  resistance,  and  at 
times  were  nearly  drivefi  to  surrender. 

Wolfe  and  Amherst  refused  to  understand  defeat, 
and  rallied  their  men,  approaching  nearer  to  the  city 
,  each  day. 

For  weeks  the  fightingf  was  by  day  and  night. 

Both  sides  were  exhausted,  but  neither  would  sur- 
render. 

"One  more  shot  1'*  cried  Harry  to  a  gunner,  and  the 
man  trained  his  gun  low.       ^ ' 

A  he»^  ^0"^  !^^^^  ^^n^^  ^"  *^g  redoubts,  for 


a 


aU  thought  that  the  fighting  was  over  for  a  time. 


• -"^ 


■«  V/ 


Surrender  of  Louisburg; 


'75 


.  V  Aheavy  cannon  ball  struck  the  walls  of  the  fort  and 
tore  away  a  great  piece  of  the  side. 
Wqjfe  saw  the  effect.  "  ' 

'I'll  make  the  man  who  fired  that  shot  a  captain ;  hy 
George,  I  will  I" 
/      He  sent  his  aide  to  find  out,  and  when  he  heard  that 
Harry  Ipsonard  had  given  the  command,  he  ordered 
him  into  his  presence.  "  ,     , 

"How  dare  you,  sir,  take  upon  yourself  to  order- his 
majesty's  artillery  ?  Are  you  an  ofiicer  ^f  that  branch 
of  the  service?'*  \ 

"No,  generah"  • 

"Then  by  what  ri^it?"  ^ 

"As  to  right,  I  do  not  know ;  but  as  to  the  effect^ 
that  shot  did  more  than  all  the  others." 

"By  George  1  you  speak  plainly,  and  I  like  you  bet- 
ter than  ever.  But  do  you  know  what  will  happen  to 
the  man  who  obeyed  your  order?" 

Harry  knew  that  the  gunner  had  violated  a  law  of 
militory  rule,  and  was  Uable  to  be  court  martialed,  but 
he  was  equal  to  the  emergency. 
"I  know  what  ought  to  happeirto  him.** 
"What?"  ^"^ 

V 

"tic  should  be  rewarded." 

♦'So  he  shall.    I'll  ask  for  a  captaincy  for  him,  and 
you  shall  be  a  major." 

jThaijc  you,  general;  but  if  I  am  Imown  as  Fighfing 


V^ 


Hal  at  the  end  of  the  war,  I  shall  be  well  pleased/* 


'.,  ■■,*:! 


176 


Successes. 

jLJM — : 


"Genetal,  general,  the  enemy  has  run  up  the  white 
flag  I"  ^claimed  Surefoot,  running  into  Gen.  Wolfe^ 
presen( 

"Gloiy  hallelujah  I"  shouted  Harry. 

Wolle  hastened  to  Amherst,  and  was  in  time  to  meet 
the  aide  sent  by  the  French  general. 

The  French  had  made  a  gallant  defense,  and  Gen. 
Amherst  grasped  the  officer's^  halnd. 

"You  are  a  brave  people,  and  I  shall  be  glad  when 
we  can  be  friends." 

"I  reciprocate,  monsieur  le  general."  \. 

Absolute  surrender  was  demanded,  jjidCapt  IJ^Ty 
Leonard  was  commissioned  to  take  the  letter  of  terms 
to  the  commandant  of  Louisburg. 


> 


\ 


> 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 


SUCCESSES. 


>•" 


On4he  twenty-eightlj  of  July,  1758,  Louisburg  sur- 
rendered, and  a  few  days  later  Cape  Breton  and  P^ce 
^^ward's  Island  were  added  to  the  English  colonies. 

Six  thousand  prisonets  of  war  were  taken  to  Eng- 
land,  and  Gen,  Amherst  felt  hinwelf  to  be  w<Mthy  of 
great-honor.  •  . 

He  abandoned  Louisburg.  and  the  fleet  took  station 


iitHali£ax« 


\ 


..X' 


/     .' 


::'X::. 


Successes. 


«77 


Communication  betM^een  the  different  colonies  was 
very  difficult,  and  at  Wolfe's  suggestion  Harry  was 
commissioned  to  go  southwest,  f|nd  out  what  had  been 
done  by  Abercrombie  and  Forbes,  and  retiim  to  Hali- 
fax at  the  earliest  possible  moment. 

Before  he  left,  Amherst  wrote  a  letter  to  Gen.  Aber- 
crombie, recommending  promotion  for  Fighting  Hal. 
^  Although  Harry  enjoyed  the  dangers  of  scouting, 
he  would  much  rather  have  stayed  with  the  army,  for 
it  was  the  general  opinion  that  Amherst  would  put  the 
fleet  into  condition  and  sail  for  Quebec  without  delay. 

Hairy  sought  Wolfe,  and  told  him  how  he  felt. 

'•Harry,  I  shall  never  live  to  reach  Quebec." 

"What  mean  you,  general?"  ; 

"I  am  sick.    My  spirit  alone^ermasters  diy  ail- 
ments, but  inactivity  will  kill  me.'^ 
.  "You  thi|ik,  then- — "        '    *  . 

Harry  hesitated,  for  he  <^  not  like  to  appear  to 
question  his  superiors.  |         v  .  -■ 

"That  you  can  go  to  the  ejctremest  Fr^ch  settle- 
ment, can  pass  through  Virginia,  and  up  the  Ohio  val- 
ley, and  thai  be  here  long  before  we  shall  move." 
^  "I  could  show  *^^  how  to  entergjufebieo---*" 

"Yes,  now  you  co^d,  but  all  wiUbe  changed  before 

'*Why  not  go  at  once  i 

"Amherst  and,  BoscaWojjjre  not  i^y.;    By  the 
tify^  i^t^y  nrp^  »^«»  St.  T  a^^J?--mlH?e  frtocn  otcf. 


we  move. 

it. 


i  "o?"* 


s 


Successes. 


m 


""!' 


tO/j 


and  we  must  wait  ,until  the  ice  breaks  up.  Go,  and 
come  back  before  I  haiit  in  my  commission  to  the 
Great  General."  %  ,.  . »;" 

Harry,  accompanied  by  Surefoot,  left  Halifax  on 
August  the  tenth,  on  a  war  vessd  Which  was  crosAig 
to^  Maine  for  some  supplies  which  had  been  left  there 

the  admiral,     v      . 

the  journey  "across*^  Maine,  New  Hampshire  and 
Vermont  was  one  continued  pleasure,  ks  all  the  whites 
were  friends  and  the  Indians  openly  peaceful. 

Arriving  at  Lake  ^Champlain,  Harry  tnade  inquiries 
for  Mane,  and  yet  trembled  for  feaf  the  news  might  be 

|!;J^^P^t  ^cr  image  glassed  on  his  heart,  aofd  se^ 
cretlf  ^pd  she  was  still  faithful  to  him,  though  no 
promises*1nad  been  given  or  asked. 

To  his  great  joy  he  saw  her,  and  she,  without  any 
bashfulness,  told  him  how  dear  he  was  to  her. 

He  had  no  time  for  pleasure,  so,  bidding  her  ever  to 
think  of  him,  he  paddled  across  th^  lake. 

The  first  news  he  heard  was  disheartening.  Gen. 
Abercrombie  had  proved  incapable.  j\ 

An  army  of  fifteen  thousand  men,  led  by  Lord  Howe* 
had  landed  at  the  northern  extremity  of  Lake  George. 

The  Country  about  the  French  fortress  at  Ticon- 
dgroga  was  v^ry  unfavorable  for  military  operations.  - 
The  English  had  to  leave  their  artillery  behind. 

Lord  How©  le4  the  .advance  in  person.    A  picket 


/ 


-'"ikr;'*'" 


"if 


Successes. 


/  * 


i"    i 


179 


Une^f  |he  French,  numbering  I«,  than  a,ree  hundred, 
oarred  th«ir  approach. 

'  K  t  "?"  ''^™''''  «""'««''  ™  «!#  the  French  were 
.  beaten,  but  Lord  Howe  Was  fciUePP   -      ra>cn  were 

The  English  retreated,  and  A&:^ombie  was  weak. 
Howe  had  been  the  soul  of  the  expedition 
A  few  days  later  a  scout  deceived  the  EngKsh  by 

^°^  fo"'  hours  column  after  column  dashed  with 
great  bn.ven,  against  the  breastwork,  of  the  enemy, 
which  were  found  to  be  well  constructed 

-fen^r'^t"'  "  ^  *"''  °'  *"•'  "'°"-"''  I^'^d,,  de. 
seen*ed,  to  be  ubiquitous, 

Abercrombie  still  had  abundant  forces,  but  he  with- 
drew, leavingfTiconderoga  in  ihe  hands  of  the  French 
He  sent  a  small  army,  under  Col.  Bradstreet,  to  cap^ 

^GT^'  '"'•''  "^  °"  *^  "'-"' 

Mintcalm  heard  of  the  move  with  dianay.    Fron- 


wa#-mo5timpomfif  to  the  French: 
of  tMe  gateways  to  Canada. 


t  was  one 


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In  two  days  Bradstreet  had  forced  it  t6  capitulate. 

All  this  Harry  learned  from  trustworthy  sources, 
and  carefully  made  notes  to  aid  his  memory. 

The  death  of  Lord  Howe  had  been  a  terrible  blow 
to  the  English  cause. 

Proceeding  lown  Lake  George,  Harry  reached  Al- 
bany without  much  difficulty. 

The  journey  was  a  tedious  one,  but  Hot  dangerous. 
.  Virginia  was  reached,  and  Harry  learned  that  Wash- 
fi^gton  was  still  in  tii^  Ohio  valley. 

The  two  scouts  worked  their  way  toward  Fort  du 
Quesne. 

The  riv^  were  frozen,  and  heavy  snow  lay  upon  the> 
ground  ere  they  reached  Pennsylvania.  ■ 

When  within  twenty  miles  of  Fort  du  Quesne,  Sure- 
foot's  quick  ears  detected  the  sound  of  Indians  on  the 
inarch. 

He  Uirew  h^nelf  down,  and  with  his  ear  pressed  to 
t|ie  ground  listened  intently. 

'Tifty  of  them,  at  the  very  least,"  he  Whispered. 

"What  are  we  to  do?**  / 

^Trast  to  our  luck ;  we  cannot  f^ht  y\em.** 

For  once  the  scout  had  miscalculated  the  distance, 
and  before  they  were  aware  of  the  nearness  of  tht^en- 
any  the  Indians  were  firing  at  them  with  dangerous 


"By  the  great   St.  Lawrence  River,  that's  Red 

4^^    . 


a- 


.Kid  If 


^  ^ 


»t.\t;. 


■^;p?|7j3 


Red 


'■■:kl%l^S:a/!^1i^\'-- 


Successes. 


i8i 


Wolf  1"  cried  Surefoot,  "pointing  out  an  Indian  in  ^ht 
backgrotind. 

The  scout  raised  his  rifle,  and  with  steady  aim 
pointed  it  at  the  hated  savage. 

So  true  was  the  aim  that  a  bullet  passed  through  the 
Indian's  brain,  and  Red  Wolf  died  by  the  hand  of  a 
North  Woods  scout 

Se^ig  their  chief  fall,  the  savages  dosed  in  On  tiie 
two  men,  and  a  desperate  fight  for  life  was  engaged  in. 

Fighting  Hal  never  more  thoroughly  deserved  his 
pseud<niym  than  he  did  when  the  odds  were  thirty  to 
one  against  hiip.  "'  ^ 

The  struggle  was  nearly  over.  Both  th^  trapper  and 
the  young  caftsia  v^rt  so  exhausted  that  they  could 
scarcely  raise  their  arltns  to  strike  a  blow. 


«n 


'Good^by,  Surefootl"  gasped  Harry. 

Tarewdl,  cap'n,"  answered  the  old  trapper. 

Neither  would  give  in;  they  were  resolved  to  die 
fighting. 

Harry  raised  his  rifle  to  club  a  sava^  who  was 
threatening  him,  when  his  arm  fell  to  his  side,  unable  to 
hold  the  weapon  or  strike  with  it. 

The  heavy  tramp,  tramp  of  soldiers  was  heard,  and 
almost  as  quickly  as  the  thunder  follows  the  lightning 
flash,  a  body  of  'Virginians  burst  upon  the  scene. 

The  Indians  turned  upon  their  new  antagonists  and 
were  quid^y  routed. 

^fainted.  — 


/     '1 


.feMiii.^»tl*«>i«s,  C 


.\ 


4j 


J       .,.,(!_.  .-*ji> 


Jh 


A 


i8i 


Before  Quebec 


/  When  he  awoke  from  his  swoon  his  eyes  looked  into 
the  clear  orbs  of  Virginia's  favorite  son—rGeorge 
Washington. 

Not  until  that  moment  had  Washington  recognized 
the  youth.  "    ? 

What  joy  there  was. expressed  by  those  two  friends! 

Washington  told  of  his  successes,  and  Harry  re- 
counted the  glorious  fall  of  Louisburg  and  Fort  Fron- 
tenaor 

"We  are  driving  out  the  French,"  said  the  Virginian.  - 
"Let  us  hope  we  may  never  have  to  drive  out  the  Eng* 
lish." 

Two  days  later  the  Virginians  and  Pennsylvanians 
occupied  Fort  du  Quesne,  and  over  the  ruined  bastions 
file  English  flag.floated. 

^    Forbes,  the  commander  of  the  forceajM^med  tiie 

coimiPRide 


place  Pittsburg,  in  honor  of  the  great 


ider  who 


had  showed  suph  zeal  against  the  eneniies  of  England. 


'\ 


i^ 


CHAPTER  XXX. 

BEFORE  QUEBEC.       .^ 

England  was  well  aided  by  the  colonists,  and  the 
tide  of  victory  had  set  in. 

Montcalm  had  viewed  the  situation  thoroughly,  and 
-liad  w^t^tohis  govenmient;       u  i?  ^ 


Before  Quebec. 


I8' 


"Lft  us  have  peace*   peace,   no   matter  with  what 
boundaries.*' 

That  was  the  burden  of  his  report,  but  the  answer 
came  back : 

"No  peace  save  through  victory  or  defeat." 
By  th^  time  Capt.  Leonard  returned  to  Halifax  the 
new  year  had  opened,  and  the  breaking  up  of  the  ice 
wished  f<Jr.  ^ 

Pitt  had  sent  orders  to  Gen.  Wolfe  to  take  supreme 
command  of  the  expedition  against  Quebec. 

The  Canadians  heard  that  England  was  |cndin^  a 
large  fleet  to  capttire  the  citadel,  and  they  greeted  it  at 
first  with  laughter,  for  Quebec  was  strongly  guarded, 
and  the  St  Lawrence  was  a  most  difficult  river  for 
navigation. 

The  very  day  the  jce  began  to  break  Wolfe  ordered 
the  fleet  of  forty-four  vessels  to  be  ready  at  a- moment's 
notice  to  start 

Harry's  know^ge  was  now  invaluable. 

He  showed  the  natural  advantages  of  the  Isle  of  Or- 
leans for  the  first  camping  ground,  and  Wolfe  accepted 
his  statement  without  hesitation. 

It  was  the  end  of  June  before  the  armament  arrived 
at  the  Isle  of  Orleans. 

The  English  camp  was  pitched  at  the' upper  end  of. 
the  island. 


Wolfe  arranged  Ws  vessels  solhatfliey  commanded 


the  river. 


'  *¥":' 


>f'/ 


t 


184 


Befoi^  Quc]^ 

■H     'm'  ,     ,  \ 4 


■^.3>« 


On  the  opposite  si<^e  01  Soiith  C3iaiuieIN|ru  Point 

^  Surefoot  had  visited  that  pla<^,  and  was  able  n>  show 
now  the  lower  part  of  Quebc^c  was  within  cannon 
range.  '\    ^^  / 

Gen.  Mcmckton  was  summoned.  / 

"Take  four  battalions  and  capture  t^cnnt  I^evi." 

Monckt6n  looked  aghast.  / 

Four  battalions  to  capture  such  a  spltiidid  strategic 
position!  '  (, 

The  task  seemed  to  him  herculean. 

Besides^,  officers  in  those  days  were  in  the  habit  of 
waiting^  and  dallying,  sending  out  scouts,  looking  over 
the  ground,  drawing  maps  and  preparing  reports  for 
weeks  and  sometimes  months  before  action  was  taken. 

Wolfe  looked  at  Monckton,  a  smilp  on  his  face,  and 
asked :  «. 

"Can  you  be  ready  in  the  morning?** 

Monckton  hesitated. 

Wolfe  desired  to  strike  at  oifoe. 

His  brow  clouded  over  as  he  looked  at  the  sun  dial 
which  chronicled  the  time  of  day. 

"It  is  three  hours  after  noon,**  he  said.  "Be  ready 
to  embark  at  eleven  to-night.  I  will  so  order  Admiral 
Saunders.*' 

Such  celerity  almost  took  away  the  officer's  breath. 
— lie  had  reeved  liis  ordrw,  mm!  kncw^feat  he  must 


obey. 


■'L.k:. 


t.—%-\'^ 


^.    1 


Before  Quebec. 


Its 


Point 

show 
urnon 


itegic 


1  dial 

ready 
miral 

ith. 
Bmst 


_- 

Once  realizing  the  immensity  of  the  work  bef<^re 
him,  he  set  to  work  with  earnest  resolve,  and  before 
the  next  night  an  EngUsh  battery  was  planted  opposite 
the  dty. 

An  incessant  fire  was  kept  up,  and  soon  the  lower 
town  was  reduced  to  ruins. 

Five  battalions  of  French,  the  whole  of  the  Canadian 
trpops  ^d  militia  togrther,  with  eleven  hundred  more 
Indians,  making  a  total  of  sixteen  thousand  armed 
men,  defeaded  Quebec. 

The  position?  was  a  strong  one.  * 

The  main  army  occupied  the  high  ground  below 
Quebec,  with  the  left  on  the  Montmorenci  River,  a  dis- 
tance of  nearly  eight  miles,  while  the  right  rested  on 
the  St.  Charles. 

Over  all  rose  the  citadel  of  Quebec,  the  wonder  of 
the  whole  continent. 

The  St.  Charles  was  guarded  by  two  l^ulks  mounted 
with  heavy  cannon,  and  a  boom  of  logs  chained  to- 
gether. * 

A  bridge  of  boats  connected  the  dty  with  the  camp. 

All  the  gates  were  closed  and  well  barricaded,  ex- 
cepting tha]t  which  faced  the  bridge. 

Against  this  formidable  array  of  force,  human  and 
sdentific,  Wolfe  had  only  nine  thousand  men. 

He  was  sick  most  of  the  time,  and  often  had  to  give 


"fira  commandi  from  Ks  bed. 

Young  Harry  was  of  the  greatest  service  to  him. 


TT 


/:i- 


f.j' 


ff-i- 


i86 


^efore  Quebec 


No  danger  was  too  great,  no  obstacle  i^t  what  he 
would  surmount 

His. quick  cy^  detected  many  things  which  would 
havt  eseai^  the  notice  of  others,  and  in  the  very  first 
repd^  s^^home  by  Wolfe  he  paid  i  tribute  to  Maj. 
Harry  Leonard — Fighting  Hal,  as  he  was  always 
termed  by  his  brother  officer?. 

Montcalm  knew  that  in  Wolfe  he  had  to  face  an  of' 
ficer  equal  to  himself,  and  he  had  often  said  that  Eng- 
land possessed  no  general  he  would  not  rather  meet. 

The  French  hit  upon  a  strange  expedient  wherewith 
to  destroy  the  English  fleet. 

A  number  of  vessels  had  been  filled  with  tar,  pitch 
and  explosives. 

The  sentries  on  the  northern  end  of  the  Isle  of  Or- 
leans saw  some  strange-looking  vessels  moving*  up  the 
river. 

While  they  watched,  the  first  vessel  burst  into  flames 
and  almost  instantly  a  score  more  became  pillars  of  fire. 

Foitunately  the  French  admiral  had  fired  the  first  too 
soon,  and  thus  had  frustrated  his  own  design. 

Explosion  followed  explosion,  and  the  blazing  tar 
floated  on  the  water.  The  sailors  on  the  English  ves- 
sels lowered  their  boats  and  went  out  to  meet  the 
flbuning  ships. 

Throwing  grapnels  over  them,  they  towed  them  to 


the  shore,  wh*re  tiiey  burned  themsdverxnrt  withouT 
danger  to  the  English  war  ships.    The  sailors  thought 


tt-ij-i  i  •<&. . 


■*i** 


<!,*'l    '< 


uij'AHi'f  • 


•*    /:i 


■'f-** 


t.    Th( 


Before  Quebec. 


m 


le  French  bemoaned  the  failure  of 


it  good  sport, 
their  scheme. 

A  number  of  Canadians,  fearing  that  their  city  would' 
be  destroyed,  asked  for  permission  to  cross  the  river 
to  Point  Levi  and  drive  the  English  away. 

Fifteen  hundred  volunteered,  and  successfully  landed 
abotit  two  miles  from  the  Point 

Fighting  Hal  was  out  in  charge  of  a  reconnoitering 
party  when  the  Canadians  landed. 

He  watched  them,  though  his  party  was  not  seen. 

Allowing  them  all  to  land,  he  suddenly  called  his 
men  to  order  and  fired  a  volley  into  the  midst  of  the 
volunteers. 

A  wild  panic  seized  them,  and  Harry  ordered  his 
men  to  charge  with  the  bayonet. 

^The  Canadians  threw  away  their  weapons,  and  even 
toolM^  their  coats,  for  fear  they  might  be%i5ded  in 
Uieir  fli^t.  -^    ^^- 

(Harry  followed  them  up,  and  his  little  force  dis- 

l^sed  five  times  as  many  without  losing  a  single  man. 

The  enemy  had  entered  their  boats  when  they  were 

seen  by  the  artillery,  and  a  few  shots  were  fired  into 

their  midst.  '  /  ,-»  4. 

Harry  returned  tQ  Jhe  Point  just  in  &me  to  shout  to 
a  gunner:  '^ 

"Don't  fire  on  that  building  I   It  is  the  cathedral  I" 
For  that  time  the  church  was  saved,  but  the  next  day 


^ 


i^ww'mrt&m. 


iiS^fttt^r 


m 


M 


% 


i»8 


Montmorend. 


■ -^. 

Wolfe  sent  for  Harry.  \ 

"What  do  you  advise?"  he  asked.  ^ 

Harry  was  more  bashful  than  usual,  and  replied : 
"I  cannot  advise.    The  weakest  part  of  the  city  is 

strongly  guafded,  but  if  we  could  attack  the  city  from 

Point  Levi  and  the  Montmorend  at  the  same  time, 

would  be  well."  » 

:"I  have  already  dedded  on  that  very  plan  of  action. 

But,  Hal,  I  shall  not  live  to  see  the  flag  over  the  dtadd. 

I  ieel  my  hours  has  nearly  come." 

^  "Say  not  so,  general ;  the  country  needs  you."  • 
''But  a  greater  Power  has  willed  for  me  to  go." 
Harry  wiped  the  tears  from  his  eyes,  for  he  had 

learned  to  love  Wolfe,  and  the  thought  of  his  death 

was  hard  to  enduce. 

"I  will  not  despair,"  he  said,  bravdy. 

"No,   Hal.    To    despair    is    unsoldierly.    Thank 

Heaven,  I  shall  die  with  my  face  to  the  foe." 


CHAPTER  XXXI. 

MONTMOSENCI. 

Gen.  Wolfe  was  chafing  at  the  delay  in  c^>turiiig 
Quebec 

lie  thought  tiiat  the  French  general,  Montcalm, 
would  have  diallenf^ed  him  to  a  naval  hattlfi.  and  fvm 


i^. 


^Ht^^ 


c»f- 


#"  ^; 


'^hr? 


'H  •; 


'  t: 


7!^ 


Im, 


Montmorend. 


\  189 


landed  an  army  on  the  island,  so  that  the  two  nations 
might  have  a  trial  of  strength. 

Montcalm  knew  the  strength  of  the  fortress,  and 
was  not  willing  to«  hazard  any  action  which  would 
weaken  his  position. 

To  destroy  the  dty  was  of  but  little  value  to  the 
English,  so  long  as  the  dtadd  was  held  by  the-enemy^ 

Wolfe  sent  for  his  physician. . 

"Doctor,  I  am  doomed,  I  know,  but  how  long  can 
you  keep  me  up?"  he  asked,  calmly.  / 

"My  dear  general,  you  arc  far  too  despondent.  I 
have  never  said  your  caseJs  hopeless.'' 

"No,  ybur  profession  demands  that  you  should  instil 
hope  in  ymt  patients,  for  the  mind  often  has  power 
over  the  bc^ly ;  but  talk  not  4s  physician  to  patient,  but 
Z8  you  wouUl  ^  another  doctor.  I  am  not  afraid  of 
death.    Why  should  I  be?    I  face  it  every  hour."    ^ 

'-General,  yovktll^t  plaided  me  on  my  honor.  1  do 
not  think  you  wm  Wer  be  strong  ag^ain,  but  you  may 
live  some  time."  • 

"How  long?" 

"It  maybe  months- — " 

"The  probabilities  are "  ^. 

"That^-dx— months " 

"Asloiigas^that?"' 

"Yes." 


*X)n  my  honor  as  a  man  and  a  friend.    But  I  have  a. 


.^4 


i 


"3w  '"J'^Aif-'  V    V"'"*'  -^  ' 


"?^sUi; 


,^ 


'1.,,t 


■m 


m 


190 


Montmorenci. 


liope  you  may  confound  our  ^imited  knowledge,  and 
live  many  years."  .         ' 

"Keep  your  hope,  doctor;  I,  too,  would  like  to  live." 

Wolfe  felt  like  a  new  man  wlien  the  doctor  left  him. 

;       •     '  -  -  -■       ,fl  -         i 

"I  shall  live  six  mtfeths,"  he  repeated  f  surely  I  can 

raise  the  English  flag  on  yonder  citadel  before^at." 
He  sent  for  Harry  Leonard,  and  grasped  his^.hand  as 

he  would  that  of  ft  dear  friend. 
*'Sit  down^  captain,  I  want  to  talk  with  you.    Forget 

that  I  am  your  senior,  either  in  age  or  fank;  talk  with 

me  as  with  a  friend,  a  brother." 
"I— don't-^r—"^^,  stammeringly    commenced    Harry, 

but  Wolfe  stopped  him. 

"We  are  here  in  solitude.    Whatever  you  may  say 

will  be  to  me  alone ;  you  understand?" 

"Yes,  general/'  j 

"How  can  we  capture  the  citadd?"  .^,, 

Tlie  question  was  asked  suddenly,  and  Harry  looked 

at  the  general  with  astonishment  stamped  on  every 

feature^     ^  \ 

Wolfe  laughed  gently,  as  he  continued :  ^ 

"You  promised  to  show  me  how  to  get  into  the  cita- 
del; I  want  you  to  do  it." 
"General,  I  could  have  done  so  then,  but  that  was 

long  igo."  - 

.  ."Ikn«ivit."     '  / 


— 'The  enemy  has^Tfrtrenchcd  itself  more^atfongly;  yet 
I  think  that,  if  we  attacked  from  the  ba^ks  of  the  Mont- 


^ 


Wi^^r^Jj    «(i„J__^^     ii!«J»i>' 


^ 


^ ' 


Montmorend.  ik| 

morenci,  and  (from  the  war  ihips  poured  a  deadly  fire 
fronvthe  north  Into  the  city,  we  could. force  the  enemy 
to  surrender.]'  .    / 

"Can^  the  virar  ship^pass  the  batten^„of  Quebec r 
.    "Nji,  general,  «ot  all ;  but  one  or  two  njigHt  do  so  if 
covered  by  k  strwig  fi^e'irom  the  Point" 

**On<i  or  jtwo  would  be'  no  good." 

"No;  but -one  vessel  well  manned  could  make  it  so 
hot  for  th^  French  batteries  that  we  could  land  a  num- 
ber of  m^."f  - 

>'H6w?"  \ 

It  was  Harry's  turn  to  smile  at  the  earnest  way^in 
which  Wolfe  questioned  him. 
"In  boats,"  he  answered./* 
"But  the  boats  are  onXhe  other  side  of  the  Point." 
^   "Gen.  Washington  told  me  that  in'1718  a  Swedisji 
cngineci/callfed  Swedenborg,  at  the  siege  of  Frederilcs- 
hald,  hailed  two  galleys,  five  boats  and  a  slodp  over 
land  a  distance  of  fourteen  miles.    And  what  a  Swede 
^  could  do,  surely  we  can." 

"I  have  heard  of  him,  and  wish  he  were  hei»  now." 
"He  showed  tlje  way;  we  can  foUbw  his  example." 
"That  will  do.    Good-day."  *  *" 

,  Wolfe  was  now  the  general,  and  in  this  blunt  man- 
ner dianissed  the  ybuth  whom  a  momept  before  he^had 
treated  as  an  equal  and  an\dviser..  ,  ^^ 
Harry  knew  the  general  well  enough  not  to  notice  the 
atriddestrf  his 


charactcrffor  sickneiB  often  midcei 


u 


ffl 


b- 


192 


Montmorenqi. 


the  most  amiable  of  men  changeable  and  easily  ir- 
ritated. 

The  next  day  thirteen  companies  of  grenadiers  and  a' 
detachment  of  Royal  'Americans  crossed  to  the  mouth 
of  the  Montmorenci,  and  prepared  to  intrench  ^eni-^ 
selves  there.  (' 

The  same  evening  the  g\ms  of  Point  Levi  com- 
menced a  vigorous  firing  on  the  city,  and  under  cover 
€(!  the  guns  the  British  war  ship  Sutherland,  with  a 
frigate  and  several  small  vessels,  passed  up  the  river 
and  anchored  above  the  town. 

A  number  of  boats  had  been  hauled  across  the  point 
and  lowered  into  the  water  in  readiness  to  transport 
Col.  Carleton  and  his  men  to  the  main  land. 

Everything  had  been  carried  out  just  as  Harry  had 
suggested.  , 

Montcalm  was  not  deceived. 

The  guns  from  Point  Levi  boomed  unceasingly,  but 
he  took  slight  notice. 

He  was  certain  the  attack  would  be  made  from  the 
Montmorenci  nde,  and  there   he   began  massii^  his^ 
army. 

The  grenadiers  and  Americans  had  no  sooner  landed 
than  the  orders  were  given  to  charge  the  redoubt  at  th^ 
foot  of  the  hilL  The  French  scarcely  made  any  de- 
fSise,  but  fled,  in  apparent  panic,  at  the  approacti  of 
tiie  English.  * 
—  Ob  clashed  ihe  grenadiers,  composed  of  Ihe  veiy- 


N 


Montmorend.  ijo 

flower  of  the  British  army,  soldiers  who,  ever  since  the 
creation  of  that  branch  of  the  service,  have  been  con- 
sidered the  bravest  and  most  daring  of  aU  who  have 
fought  under  the  English  flag. 

They  knew  not  what  daiiger  meant,  but  dashed  for- 
ward  and  entered  the  redoubt,  cheering  loudly  as  ^ey 

""'?'•    .      '  © 

A  murderous  fire  f romUTe  heights  above  killed  many 

a  brave  fellow  in  the  midst  of  his  cheering. 

"Charge  up  the  hill  r    " 

The  cliflF  was  almost  as  steep  as  a  housesidc. 

To  ascend  it  had  tried  the  skill  of  many  a  pedes- 
trian, but  now  soldiers,  Americans  and  British,  rushed 
forward,  eageriy  zealous,  and  determined  to  reach  the 
top.  Scores  were  killed,  and  rolled  down  the  hill,  car- 
rying the  living  off  their  feet.  But  their  comrades 
struggled  on.    It  was  slow  work. 

The  fighting  was  one-sided,  for  the  climbers  could 
not  get  foothold  sufficient  to  enable  them  to  answer  the 
volleys  of  buckshot  which  poured  down  fnan  the 
heights. 

The  clouds  gathered  heavily  in  the  sky,  and  nature 
silenced  the  French  by  a  heavy  downpour  of  rain, 
which  rendered  thdr^firclocks  useless. 

Wolfe  arrived  on  the  scene  just  as  the  grenadiers 
and  Royal  Americans  were  retreating  to  the  redoubt. 

,^^  ^?*  y^^  j*^  »^y^  j^<^  pi^^SQ^  d^d,  and  well  hc^ 


0 


^-l*"' 


migfit,  for  In  diose  few  minutes,  occupied  by  the  at- 


■\ 


g)!^t  jl&J'l9Ll,;i!hii-lJ»-!.-«/-»J<',  tt^^l^iu^  Xf: 


tj\is-i^  iiifei-&i^M/i 


} 


194 


Faints   and   Surprises. 


tempt  to  scale  the  heights,  Nearly  five  hundred  of  the 
grenadiers  and  Americans  were  killed. 

Retreat  was  ordered,  and  "^oi^e  felt  so  disheartened 
that  he  likd,  ali^ost  resolved  on  returning  to  England 
and  asking  th^^t  a  larger  expedition  should  be  sent  out 
the  following  year. 


<^- 


%* 


/     CHAPTER  XXXII. 


FSINTS  AND  SURPRISES. 


For  weeks  fighting  continued,  and  the  English  were 
repulsed  time  after  time. 

It  seemed  as  though  Quebec  could  not  be  captured, 
and  that  the  French  must  remain  dominant  in  Canada. 

The  English  frigates  above  the  city  were  able  to  pre- 
vent many  supplies  being  sent  to  the  citadel,  and  that 
constituted  the  chief  hope  of  the  English,  that  eventu- 
ally the  French  would  have  to  capitulate. 

Dysentery  and  fever  broke  out  in  the  English  ranks, 
and  carried  off  nearly  as  many  men  as  the  bullets  of 
the  enemy. 

Surefoot  had  been  unusually  quiet  for  some  time,  and 
Harry  could  not  understand  it. 

The  ^Id  trapper  had  ceased  to  feel  any  interest  in 
the  war,  and  his  face  was  daily  getting  whither  and 


Feints  and   Surprises. 


«95 


and 


Col.  Carleton  accost^  Harry  one  day  early  in  Sep- 
Ntember. 

"I  want  to  talk  with  you  seriously,  captain;  can  you 
spare  me  half  an  hour?"  i 

"Certainly,  colonel." 

I      "There  is  a  man  within  our  lines  of  whom  I  wish  to 

speak." 
.       "Yesr 

"He  is  called  Surefoot'r 
•      "What  of  him?" 
"Is  he  loyal?" 
"To  the  backbone." 
"Can  you  vouch  for  it?" 
"With  my  life  I'd  vouch  for  his  hbpor/ 
"He  is  an  object  of  suspicion." 
"Of  suspicion?"  repeated  the  astonished  scout 
"Yes.    I  will  tell  you  what  has  be«i  reported.    A 
few  weeks  ago  he  was  on  the  Sutherland,  and  at  n^ght 
he  was  seen  to  lower  himself  into  the  water  and  swim 
to  Ihe  Cornucopia/* 

"Whatof  that,  colonel?  Both  ships  fly  our  flag." 
"Yes,  but  later  it  was  reported  that  a  rope  was  seoi 
hanging  from  a  porthole  of  the  Cornucopia,  and  again 
your  friend  was  missing.  For  three  days  nothing  was 
seen  of  him.  When  Murray  made  his  descent  on  Des- 
chambault  and  captured  the  Canadian  garrison,  one  of 
tfie  prisoners,  feaqag  thafe^far^yogh^  br  put  W 


.  M 


told  the  colonel  Ipf  we  were  harboring  a  spy:.  He 


,    42 


*„*^*3lI^jlM./l.l 


i^w^    iV  i   J'  M 


V'sfiA^MW. 


.iMii 


Jl#""l'. 


''  yi,"  ''^p'!''.  '■■''I'yyf .-' 


196 


Fein^   and  Surprises. 


was  pressed  for  particulars,  and  described  Surefoot  ac- 
curately as  a  man  who  had  been  talking  often  to  the 
Canadian  officer." 

"Ill  not  believe  any  wrong  of  my  old  friend." 

"That  is  not  all." 

''What  else  have  you  heard?" 

"Surefoot  was  sent  with  Maj.  Williams  to  the  camp 
at  Point  Levi,  and  four  days  ago  he  was  missed.  He 
has  not  been  seen  since." 

"You  think  he  is  acting  dishonorably?" 

"Gen.  Townshend  thinks  so,  and  a  report  will  be 
made  to  Gen.  Wolfe,  which  will  result  in  a  court-mar- 
tial." 

"But  you  say  he  has  not  returned.'* 

"That  is  true.  When  he  does  he  will  most  likely  be 
placed  in  irons." 

"I  think  not.  Col.  Carleton;  I  fancy  a  medal  for 
courage  will  be  placed  on  his  breast  before  any  irons 
manacle  his  legs."  c 

"I  hope^^sa" 

Though  Capt.  Leonard  spoke  so  firmly  m  defense  of 
his  friend,  he  could  not  hdp  admitting  to  himself  that 
appearances  were  against  him,  and  the  evidence  quite 
enough  to  convict  him  in  time  of  war. 

Little  Surefoot  had  been  missmg  for  over  a  month, 
but  as  he  was  not  a  regularly  enlisted  soldier,  nothmg 


wa&  thought  of  his  absence. 


•   »' 


!&*,;&<  ." 


T 


) 


Feints  and  Surprises. 


»97 


No  one  had  attributed  such  «  thing  as  treachery  to 
either  father  or  son  before. 

Harry  sought  Gen.  Wolfe;  determined  to  speak  • 
good  word  for  the  trapper,  but  a  consultation  was  be- 
ing held  to  deicide  upon  a  plan  of  action. 

Wolfe  submitted  three  plans  to  Gens.  M6nckton, 
Townshend  and  Murray,  and  asked  which  they  con- 
sidered the  best. 

He  suggested  that  the  army  ^hould  march  ten  miles 
up  the  Montmorenci  and  fall  iipon  the  enemy  in  the 
rear,  or  that  a  general  attack  should  be  made  from  the 
boats  upon  Beaufort;  the  third  plan  was  to  cross  the 
ford  at  the  mouth  of  the  Montmbrenci  and  march  along 
the  shore  until  a  place  could  be  found  where  the  cliffs 
could  be  ascended.  ^ 

The  brigadier  generals  discussed  the  propositions 
thoroughly,  and  unanimously  rejected  them. 

In  place  of  Wolfe's  plans  they  suggested  that  it 
would  be  better  to  try  and  land  above  the  town,  placing 
the  army  between  Quebec  and  the  base  of  supplies,  thus 
forfcmg  the  French  general  to  either  surrender  or  fight 

Wolfe  had  no  confidence  in  the  plan,  but  he  deter> 
miied  to  adopt  it,  and  stake  his  future  on  the  issue. 

Orders  were  at  once  given  to  evacuate  the  camp  at 
Mdntmorenci. 

Monckton,  at  Point  Levi,  was  on  the  watch,  and  saw 
ML  "I  onrcaimwM^  sending  a  strong  foree  to  pr^ ygni^j^ 
Wolfe's  movement. 


'ki 


'^Aiiifm 


Miitii.iiX    «■ 


L.  ^iPa  r^fe'ly  rflj- 


3*tv«    . 


•■jiJ>jtf*'lS 


iimninwiyiiiiniiij;  I   ift 


"il"*i'» 


198 


Feinl%  and  Surprises. 


Two  battalions  were  embarked  in  boats  to  make  a 
feint  of  landing  at  Beaufort.  The  French  saw  it  and 
misinterpreted  the  action,  thinking  that  Monckton  was 
making  the  attack,  and  Wolfe  only  attracting  Mont- 
calm's attention  from  the  move  against  Beaufort. 

-  The  French  were  concentrated  at  the  latter  place, 
and  Wolfe  was  able  to  withdraw  from  Montmorenci 

without  molestation, 

I) 

On  the  fifth  of  September  all  the  English  were  on 
board  the  ships,  and  Montmorenci  was  again  in  the 
hands  of  the  French. 

Montcalm  believed  the  expedition  had  failed,  and 
that  Admiral  Holmes  wals  preparing  to  sail  back  to 
England. 

In  a  dispatch  to  his  government,  the  gallant  French 
man  said  he  should  be  glad  of  a  rest,  for  the  English 
were  so  restless  he  never  knew  when  they  were  going 
to  strike,  and  he  had  not  been  able  to  take  off  his 
clothes  for  ten  weeks. 

It  was  now  openly  acknowledged  tiiat  Surefoot  was 
a  renegade,  a  traitor,  and  orders  were  given  for  his  ar- 
rest should  he  be  seen  either  on  the  boats  or  at  Point 
Levi. 

All  that  Harry  had  been  able  to  accomplish  on  behalf 
of  his  friend  was  the  promise  from  Wolfe  that  the  trap- 
per  should  have  ample  chance  to  defend  himself,  and 


00  snap  judgment  should  be  rendered. 


1 


/: 


■t 


& 


'  'X. 


SurefoQt's  Stoiy.  j^g 

Montcalm  did  not  relax  his  vigilance,  -but  prepared 

to  strtengthen  every  point  which  was  deemed  accessible. 

At  Bougainville  he  stationed  a  goodly  sixed  army; 

the  pist  at  Anse-du-Foulon  was  strengthened,  and  the 

battali^  at  Gueune  was  ordered  to  be  pn  the  alert. 

Only  one  point  was  left  apparently  undefendied,  only 
a  hundred  men  being  left  on  the  heigh|f,  but  it  was 
such  a  point  of  vantage  that  a  hundred"  vigUant  men 
could  easily  defeat  two  thousand  soldiers  trying  to 
scale  the  heights.  V  j  ^ 

Admiral  Holmes  sailed  up  and  down  the  St.  Law- 
rence, threatening  to  land  at  miny  points,  and  making 
the  French  wieary  with  his  femfs.     r 

Montcalm  beUeved  Wolfe  would  make  one  more  at- 
tack prior  to  sailing  back  to  England. 


CHAPTER  XXXni. 
surepoot's  story.      ■  ^ 

On  the  early  morning  of  the  ninth  of  S^tember  a 
boat  was  seen  putting,off  from  Point  Levi  and  signal- 
ing the  5'ii/fef/anrf. 

Gen.  Wolfe  was  on  board  that  warship,  and  it  was 
eyidttit  the  boatimvcyed  *  j^edat  messenger  to  him^^ 


The  marines  and  sailors  flocked  to  the  sides  of  the 


#■ 


.■s,/4' ;  ,iv,5j,«  V.*".  Siit^-i-i-'*  ia|ti'.*i>; -«tii.«i    ^x'^..fJAi.  Stf'ksi/'SiLil;''' i*.lilv    •;; 


■    pwiP^^irfiiiilili  iiiii  i.M  iff  II 


.. ',_  '^s^v.-  . .  v^;..  .^y  A  .^^  v^|.^^f  -rj-fA!'^^^ 


200 


S&l  tt« 


Surefoot's  Story. 


vessel,  and  a  cheer,  hearty  though  suppressed,  went  up 
when  they  saw  Surefoot  in  the  boat,  heavily  ironed. 

Harry's  face  flushed  as  he  heard  the  cheering,  for  he 
knew  that  war  so  brutalized  men  that  they  even  en- 
joyed the  spectacle  of  an  execution,  and  Surefoot  was 
believed  to  be  guilty. 

Capt  L^pnard  leaned  over  the  bulwark  to  speak  to 
the  trapper,  but  found  himself  gently  pulled  away  by  a 
naval  officer. 

"Pardon  me,  captain,  but  I  cannot  allow  you,  or  any- 
one, to  hold  converse  with  a  prisoner." 

"He  is  my  friend  and  as  innobent  as  any  man  on 
board."  r 

"I  sincerely  hope  so,  but  for  your  own  sake  you  had 
better  be  cautious." 

"For  my  own  sake?" 

"Yes,  or  you  may  be  looked  upon  as  an  accomplice." 

"I  do  not  think  I  need  blush  at  such  a  charge,  but 
I  know  you  are  only  doing  your  duty,  and  I  give  in." 

A  more  miserable-looking  wretch  than  the  old  trap- 
per never  stepped  upon  the  deck  of  a  British  man-of- 
war. 

Harry  turned  away  and  sought  Gen.  Wolfe,  who  was 
on  board.  1 

\ 

"General,  Surefoot  has  been  arrested ;  he  is  now  on 
board."  . 


•■'^ 


\ 


"He  shall  receive  justice." 


'«*• 


'>''r-'^  "^^'tf?*?' '7^'S'°*'- 


■  iV.T 


Surefoot's  Stoty. 


20I 


n 


n 


■5^' 


'on 

coniiii 

t 

thinlr 

t 

tnunni 

'      ^    ^^--i--.'^ 

^ 

Lieut  McFarlafie  entered  the  cabin  and,  saluting, 
said: 

"The  prisoner,  known  as  Surefoot,  wishes  to  see  you, 
general,  alone.  He  says  he  has  something  of  impor- 
tance to  communicate."  \ 

"I  will  see  him." 

"Here?"  ^ 

"Yes."  \ 

Suiefoot  was  escorted  into  the  cabin,  his  hands  man- 
acled and  connected  with  his  ankles  by  chains. 

'"take  off  those  chains,"  Wolfe  ordered  at  once. 

Whan  the  order  had  been  obeyed,  the  general  bade 
all  to  leave  save  Surefoot  a^d  Harry  Leonard. 

"I  have  asked  Capt.  Leonard  to  stay,"  he  said,  "be- 
cause he  has  been  a  cohsistent  friend  of  yours,  and  it 
is  well  that  he  should  hear  all  you  have  to  say.  My  H' 
ception  of  you  is  contrary  to  the  etiquette  of  military 
filfe,  and  I  am  laying  myself  open  to  censut^.  Explain, 
tstpper,  and  I  pray  Heaven  your  explanation  may  be 
aigood  and  true  one.'* 

Wolfe's  breathing  was  heavy  and  labored.  He  could 
not  endure  the  exertion  of  a  long  speech,  and  Harry 
fianded  him  a  glass  of  an  elixir  which  alone  seemed  to 
keep  life  in  his  body.  • 

ow  appearances  are  agauist  me,"  the  trapper 
ced,  "but  I  wliH  tell  my  story,  and  if  then  youi 


«*i 


X  will  bar  it  witfaottt-«i 


.  *  •  ^    > 


aoi 


Surefoot's  Stoiy. 


"I*  told  the  cap'n"— pointing  to  Harry— "that  Fd 
fight  while  eVer  a  paries  vous  was  in  the  country. 
But  I  wanted  to^  fight,  and  the  English  xlilly-dallied, 
and  I  got  tired.  I  says  to  myself,  says  I,  the  reason 
the  English  don't  take  Quebec  is  because  they  can't. 
And  why  can't  they? 

"Last  year  me  and  the  cap'n  found  how  to  get  into 
the  city  and  attack  the  citadel,  but  you  wait«d  anil 
waited,  and  the  French  went  and  built  a  fort  r^ht  on 
the  very  spot 

"Says  I,  there  must  be  a  way,  and  I'll  try  to  find  it 
So  I  lowers  myself  into  the  water  and  swims  to  the 
land.    I  didn't  find  what   I   wanted   that  day,  so  I 
Watched  my  opportunity  and  tried  again. 
\    "I  failed  four  times.    Says  I  to  myself,  ITU  try  once 
more.    So  I  goes,  and  no  sooner  touched  the  shore 
than  some  paries  vous  stepped  out,  and  with  no  polite- 
ness whatever  says,  *You'rej)ur  prisoner.*    At  least  I 
guess  they  said  it,  for  I  couldn't  understiui^  much  of  ^ 
their  jargon,  and  guessed  thieir  meaning;  when  they 
claps  their  hands  on  me  and  pulls  me  along  with  them." 
"You  were  taken  prisoner,  Aen?"  "     , 

"Yes,  general.    I- guessed  I  would  be,  and  I  only 
hoped  I  wouldn't  fall  into  the  hands  of  redskins  (^ 
Guiadians,  for  they'd  hJVe  scalped  me  withoujt  wink- 
Jng. 

"They  dragged  me  along  until  they  met  an  officer 


a  tng  mustache,  and  he  jabbered  away  for  a  long 


|!:W&)3sii*j»^f!-t.i«i&iilw<'!-  Xfl^l; 


Surcfoot^s  Story. 


..♦j- 


'■'-^ 


-11 


203 


time,  and  I  was  put  into  a  tent  right  on  the  face  of  the 
heights.  I  saw  your  ships,  and  at  n'^ht  the  lights 
looked  pleasant.  ""  •     , 

-  "Last  night  I  guessed  I'd  had  enough  of  it,  so  I 
watched  and  watched,  and  when  the  sentry  w^  on  one 
si^e  of  the  tent  I  slipped  under  the^canvas  on  the-other, 
and  crawled  along  ^s  noiselessly  as  a  redskin.  I 
^.crawled  nearly  a-  mile.  If  I  had  broken  a  twig,  some 
redskin  might  have  heard  it.  "^    ' 

"I  wondered  how  to  get  down  the  cliff.  Just  as  I 
was  wondering  I  saw  a  lot  of  tents,  and,  says  I,  what 
are  those ^tetitsdomg  there? 

"I  Was  kind  of  curious,  sol  crawled  along  to  them 
and  managed  to  find  out  that  they  were  at  the  top  of 
a  path  which  wound  dovvn  the  heights. 

"I  thought  l^d  like  to  Igiow  ju^  where  the  path  led 
to,  so  I  came  down  it  arid  landed  in  as  pretty  a  little 
cove  as  ever  y<4  saw.  I  called  it  Wolfe's  Cove,  and 
if  yoti'd  like*  to  teke  a  few'thousand  soldiers  up.  III 
show  the  way.  That's  all.  Now  hang  me  if  you  like.* 
"Surefoot,  I  believe  you,  and  I  will  send  Capt.  Loo^ 
iiard  with  you,  and  if  he  decides  you  are  right  about 
the  ascent,  vft  will  Wsk  all  and  may  Heaven  help  m/* 


'J 


"-W' 


ij&i^fj,'^^^f^,^j^h^^ 


V 


CHAPTER  XXXIV. 


CAPITULATION. 


'..     If 


Within  twcnty-fdur  hours  Harry  had  retflSrned  and 
confirmed  the  report  made  by  the  trapper. 

Wolfe  called  a  council  of  war  and  in  substance  told 
the  assembled  generals  the  story  he  had  heard  from  the 
trapper.  ^^     _ 

A  seeming  injusJjP^  was  done  to  Surefoot,  for  he 
was  kept  a  prisoner  until  the  time  to  start,  more  to  pre-      y  ^ 
vent  him  from  talking  to' anyone  of  the  men  than  as  a 
piuiishment.  i 

"That  man  deserves  a  meial/*  said  the  admiral,  "and 
ni  report  him,  for  he  has  risked  his  life  tpany^  times 
without  being  asked."  .  / 

Gen.  Wolfe  thanked  the  admiral,  J|d|j^ded  that 
Surefoot's  name  wdlH  figure  in  ^^I^^V"^  ^10 

Everything  favored  the  English  at  the  moment  fixed 
;upon  to  make  the  final  eflFort. 

;o  hours  in  the  darkness  of  night  die  boats        / 
_  down  ihe  stream.    When  within  a  few  hundred      / 
is  of  tltfr*  destination  they  w^^  suddenly  chal-  'y^ 
langed  by  a  French  sentry.  '  >: 

,  An  officer  who  understood  Ae4angttage4mji  spoke 


it  like  a  Parisian  answered  the  challenge,  and  even  gave 


."■       "l  .'  13    :,' 


t.       . 


l€'\"/"^^"'  -' 


'pit' 


•  I" 


/  I  '^'>  >v 


%■ 

^ 


^l 


Capitulation. 


305 


the  name  of  a  regiment  whiicb  he  knew  was  quartered 
near  by  under  the  command  bf  Bouganville. 

Once  morejhey  wei^  challenged,  utd  the  same  offi- 
cer replied,  and  in:  an  undertone  said : 

"Provision  boats;  don't  let  the  English  hear  us." 

Wolfe  had  heard  that  some  provision  boats  were  ex- 
pected, and  the  officer  liiade  use  of  that  knowledge. 

The  boat|. were  allowed  to  pass- 

The  Canadians  on  the  tfC^Tof  the  heights  were  asleep 
pr  away  on  furlough,  only  a  score  of  men  bemg  left^ 

Under  the  guidance  of  Surefoot  and  Fighting  iSil, 
about  fifty  English  soldiers  moved  up  the  pathway  and 
gained  the  top.  5 

The  outiiiK^of  the  tents  was  just  visible  in  the  gKm- 
mering  light     ^  a      ^  , 

Harry  gathered  his  little  band  around  him  and  gave 
his  commands. 

Drawing  his  sword,  he  led  the  men  at  double-quick 
right  mto  the  midst  of  the  tents. 

Ctfpt  Vergor,  the  Canadian,  leaped  from  his  Bed  and 
tried  to  escape.  His  men,  surprised,  offered  but  little 
resistance  and  the  most  of  them  fled  with  great  speed. 

The  maiii  body  of  the  Engtiili  had  landed  and 
•wafted,  at  the  foot  of  the  cUff,  in  sUence,  tiie  signal  ' 
from  above.  .    . 

Suddenlytload  British  cheer  knd  the  rattle  of  mus- 
jg^^  told^  W(Jf e  that  suf^ass  had  crowned  the  1 
of  the  bold  advance  guard.  ' 


^.^.^    -V         u.    ■'-' J®!J'.    I<«T 


■V 


y 

ao6 


-^ 


**. 


Capitulation. 


With  musket  slung  on  his  back,  each  soldier  scram- 
bled  up  the  path  as  best  he  could. 

Strong  parties  were  sent  off  to  capture  the  batteries 
at  Sillery  and  Samos,  while  the  boats  kept  bringing 
more  men  to  the  shore,  until  the  entire  force  was 
landed. 

Montcalm  was  in  amazement  when   he  heard  the 


II 


news. 

As  the  sun  shone  above  the  citadel,  the  gallant 
French  general  looked  through  his  glaS^and  saw  the 
English  army  gathered  on  the  Plains  of  Abraham. 

"They  are  on  the  weak  side  of  this  unfortunate 
iown/'  he  said  to  his  aide,  "and  we  must  crush  them 
before  mjdday." 

He  sought  the  governor  and  held  a  hurried  consulta- 
tion with  him.  « 

*These  English,"  said  Vaudreuil,  "seem  able  to  over- 
oome  every  obstacle,  but  this  time  they  are  trapped; 
they  have  ik>  artillery,  and  our  guns  will  make  short 
work  of  them." 

Wolfe  formed  his  men  in  line  across  the  plain  and 
facing  the  city.  His  right  wing  rested  on  the  edge 
of  the  height  overlooking  the  St.  Lawrence  the  left,  as 
near  the  St.  Charles  as  their  numbers  would  allow. 

Within  an  hour  affcr  sunrise  the  long  Kne  of  red- 
coated  EngUsh,  silent  and  earnest,  with  ho  music  ex- 
ffpt  the  war-pipes  which  tiie  Scotch  Highlanders  would 


blow  loud  and  shrill,  was  itady  for  the  enemy. 


« • 


:»k 


«  k      ■'1,    \* 


'^-^:.: 


m;--" 


A^n 


/  V    J     ^-~,  t  „iV 


Capitulation. 


ao7 


The  English  had  not  long  to  wait,  for  soon  the  white- 
coated  French,  the  blue-uniformed  Canadians,  and  the 
Indians  in  their  war  paint  and  feathers,  confronted  the 
I    bold  men  who  followed  Wolfe. 

Monteahn  was  eager  for  thi  fray. 

He  believed  the  thirty-five  hundred  men  under  Wolfe 
was  but  the  advancSt  guard  of  the  army,  and  that  any> 
delay  would  only  strengthen  his  enemy. 

Ramesey's  small  battery  opened  fire  upon  the  Eng- 

Ush  line  with  canister,  while  a  thousand  Canadians  and 

,^;  Iwndred  Indians   crept   up   among   bushes  an^ 

through  the  cornfield  and  began  to  pour  in  a  deadly 

shower  of  leaden  bullets. 

Toward  ten  o'clock  the  order  was  given  by  Mont- 
*  calm  to  advance. 

The  French  fired  as  they  marched,  but  the  Cana- 
dians, throwing  themselves  on  the  ground  to  reload, 
broke  the  line  and  caused  considerable  confusion. 

Wolfe  had  sent  orders  alwig  the  line  that  no  shot 

was  to  be  fired  until  the  enemy  was  within  forty  paces; 

Th^  English  stood  like  a  solid  wall,  never  looking  to 

the  right  or  the  left,  though  great  gaps  had  to  be  fiUed 

as  the  shots  from  the  enemy  reduced  the  nmks. 

The  French  and  Canadians  were  about  thirty-five 

,  paces  away  before  the  order  to  fire  was  given. 

A  volley  of  musketry  rang  out,  so  regularly  that  it 
^»Q»»ded  as  but  fflie  toad  reports-  — 


A  second  volley  was  succeeded  by  independent  firing. 


1 

-J 


208 


I   II    .IN 


Capitulation. 


Then  the  fighting  grew  fierce  and  terrible. 

Montcah|i  attempted  to  turn  the  English  flank,  but 
was  beaten  back  with  great  loss. 

"Charge!"    j. 

The  order  hng  out  clear  and  distinct  as  Wolfe 
grasped  his  sword  firmly,  and  seemed  to  have  regained 
all  his  accustomed  strength.  .-A 

Surefoot  saw  a  French  soldier  take  deliberate  aim^ 
Wolfe.  r.,^  .    V-^t* 

Instantly  the  old  traj/per  flung  himself  before  the 
general,  and  the  deadly  bullet  pierced  his  breast.    ^ 

"My  poor  fellow !  You  saved  my'life  at  the  risk  of 
your  own,"  said  Wolfe,  leaning  for  a  moment  over  the 
fallen  trapper. 

"Better  for  me  to  die  than  you,"  answered  Surefoot. 

"I  avenged  your  wound,  dad  I"  exclaimed  Little 
Surefoot,  who  had  unexpectedly  appeared  on  the  scene. 

"Bless  you,  my  boy." 

The  old  trapper  turned  over  on  his  side,  and  his  son 
raised  his  head  a  little. 

It  was  too  late;  the  old  man  had  gone  to  render  his 
account  to  the  Great  Judge  of  all. 

A  bullet  pie|rced  Wolfe's  wrist,  but  he  bound  his 
handkerchief  around  it,  and  grasping  his  sword  with 
his  left  hand,  still  led  the  gallant  grenadiers. 

Another  shot  disabled  his  left  arm,  and  his  sword 
dropped  from  his  hand. 

-  Hawg^  acaf^  recognizable  tiirough  the^blood  s^ 


.^■,,A.yv.v.. 


I- 


. 4  I. 


Capitulation. 


1^09 


flank,  but 


as  Wolfe 
regained 


ite  aim  atr 

efore  the 
ast.    ^ 
le  risk  of 
over  the 

(' 
Surefoot. 

ed  Little 

he  scene. 

1  his  son 

:nder  his 

>und  his 
)rd  with 

s  sword 


mud  and  powder  smoke,  was  by  the  general's  sidi  in- 
stantly, and  picked  up  the  sword. 

"Keep  it,  Hal,  and  use  it  against  the  enemies  of  your^ 
country." 

The  French  were  all  in  confusion.  Montcahn  had 
his  body  almost  riddled  with  bullets. 

Victory  was  with  the  English  but,  alas !  just  It  the 
moment  of  triumph  a  ball  pierced  Wolfe's  breast       ^ 

"Tell  me,  are  we  winning?"  he  asked,  feebly. 

"They  run— they  run  I"  shouted  a  soldier. 

"Who  run?"  asked  the  dying  hero. 

"The  French  are  flying  in  every  direction,"  answered 
Harry.  / 

I 

"Then  I  shall— raise  my  head,  Harry— I  would  like 
to  see  them  run.    I  am  dying,  but,  oh,  so  happy." 

And  amid  the  smoke  of  the  battle  the  spirit  of  the 
hero  passed  away. 

A  quarter  of  a  mile  away  Montcalm  was  dying. 

He  tried  to  rally  his  dispirited  soldiers  but  another 
ball  struck  hun  and  he  fell.  ^ 

"Shall  I  survive?"  he  asked  his  surgeon. 

"A  few  hours  at  most,"  was  the  reply; 

"So  much  the  better,"  answered  the  French  hero;  "I 
shall  not  live  to  witness  the  surrender  of  Quebec." 

Further  defense  of  the  city  was  useless;  the  French 
were  panic-stricken,  and  the  white  flag  was  irtin  op  over 
the  citadel. 


Gen.  Townshend  sent  for  Capt.  Harry  Leonard. 


' '-J',""--,  j!kL,'V'.v    '111-'  *< 


J' 


aio 


Capitulation. 


'lYou  shall  be  my  aide  to  convey  to  the  citadel  the 
terms  of  capitulation." 
*«"Thank  you,  general.'* 

**You  have  proved  your  worth,  and  merited  your 
cognomen ;  you  have  won  the  right  to  replace  the  ^eur- 
de-li$  with  the  Union  Jack." 

.And  so  it  was  brought  about  that  when,  five  days 
later,  the  English  flag  was  run  up  the  halyards  over 
the  citadel  of  Quebec,  it  was  the  h^d  of  Harry  Leo- 
nard that  raised^ithe  crosses  of  St.  George  and  St.  An- 
drew over  the  great  stronghold  of  the  New  World. 

A  continent  had  been  won,  and  the  English  had  pos- 
session of  all  the  northern  part  of  North  America. 

Had  England  been  wise  she  might  have  retained 
power;  but,  as  it  is,  it. has  proved  to  be  for  the  best, 
and  the  republic  of  the  United  States  can  honor  alike 
Wolfe  and  Montcalm,  and  both  Canada  and  the  United 
States  can  unite  in  revering  the  memory  ol  Washington 
.and  the  brave  colonists  who  made  Wolfe's  victory  pos- 
sible. 

A  few  months  after  the  surrender  of  Quebec  a  wed* 
ding  took  place  in  the  citadel. 

It  was  9  military  wedding,  and  Gen.  Townshend  pro- 
posed the  health  of  the  happy  pair. 

In  speaicing  of  the  young  husband,  he  said : 

"We  who  have  known  him  wish  him  every  happi- 
ness; he  is  the  bravest  of  the  brave,  and  we  loved  to 


T^fl"^®"F^^^^rT^C^^^B^irwiQ"S"tiile  by 


»4>t^if.'S 


-W^^^-^j, 


Capitulation. 


21 X 


fighting  every  step  from  Fort  Necessity  to  the  citadel 
of  Quebec.  And  of  hi^  bride,  though  by  birth  she  be- 
longs to  the  nation  which  so  recently  surrendered  this 
citadel  into  0}1t  hands,  we  can  say  that  there  is  not  a 
man  among  us  but  would  be  proud  to  surrender  his 
heart  into  her  keeping,  and  we  think  Harry  Leonard 
did  right  in  capitulating  when  he  saw  the  brigl^t  eyes 
of  the  lovely  Marie." 

THE  END. 


:^ 


,   ,.i 


U.(^^l'   L'i     \M  V 


S,  ,^l 


i:,„.x^^ 


•■\7" 


THE  CREAM  OF  JUVENILE  FlCTIOfl 

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One  of  the  beet  known  and  moet  popular  writete.    Good,  eleaq, 
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One  of  the  beit  stories  e^er  written  on  hunting,  trapping  and  ad> 
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Gilbert,  the  Boy  Trapper 


A79KIB 

A  splendid  story,  Moording  the  adventures  of  a  boj  with  smugglen. 
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An  excellent  story  of  pdventure  in  the  celebrated  Sunk  I^nds  of 

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In  the  Bunk  Iiands 


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Gold  of  Flat  Top  Mountain 
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\' 


'V: 


Snag  Amm^oaii  should  read.    His  jtories  are  full  of  very  interasling 
fomutioo  aboat  the  naTj,  Mfainiog  ships,  etc. 

Bound  for  AxmapoUs  Oruise  of  the  Tratnins  Ship 

out  the  Jtmvml  Oadet  Trom  Fort  to  Fort 

Bftraace  Omiae.  A 


WMJJmmjLV  GRAYDON. 

An  author  of  world-wide  popnlaritjr.  Mr.  Oraydon  is  essentHtlly  a 
friend  of  young  people,  and  we  offer  herewith  ten  of  his  beet  worlcs, 
wherein  he  relates  a  great  diversity  of  interesting  »dventur^  in  various 
parts  of  the  world,  combined  with  accurate  historical^ta. 

Butoher  of  Oawnpore,  The  In  Barraoks  i^  Wlcwam 

Oamp  In  the  Bnpw,  The  In  Fort  and  Jyson 

Oampalcnlns  with  Braddoek  Jungles  and^%^tori 

OrjptOKram.  The  Bajah's  Fort«9M.  The 

From  Lake  to  Wilderness  WUte  King  of' Afrioa,  The 


I*IB17X.  FRBpBRlCK  QARIUSON,  U.  8.  ▲• 

Every  American  bov  takes.a  keeu  interest  in  the  afhirs  of  West 
Point    No  mor«  capable  writer  on  this  JDORular  subject  could  be  found 

than  Lieut.  Gkrriaon,  who  vividly  deac  

unique  incidents  that  have  oooarted  in  i 
famous  West  Point  stories. 


the  life,  adventures  and 
( great  institution— in  these 


Off  for  West- F^nt 
Oadet's  Honor.  ▲ 


/  On  Ckiard 

West  Folnt  Ttaasnre,  Th* 
West  Folnl  Birals.  The 


^  The  hunt  forgold  has  always  been  a  popular  sulneot  for  considera- 
tion, and  Mr.  Hill  has  added  a  splendid!^  stoty  on  the  subject  in  this 
romance  of  the  Klondyke. 

Bpeotre  Gtold 


KBNRY  HARRISON  LBWI8. 

Mr.  Lewis  Is  a  graduate  of  the  Naval  Academy  at  Annapolis,  and 
has  written  a  great  many  books  for  bovs.  Among  his  best  works  are 
the  following  titles— the  subjects  include  a  vast  series  of  adventures 
in  all  parts  of  the  world.  The  historical  data  is  correct,  and  they 
should  be  read  by  all  boys,  for  the  excellent  information  they  contain. . 

Centreboard  Jim                                             ISnalgn  Merrill 
Kins  of  the  Island                                          Sword  and  Fen 
Midshipman  ICerrlU                                       Valley  of  Mystery.  Th« 
Yankee  Boy  In  Japan '         


DAVID  MeKAT,  Pablisher,  PliUadelphla. 


(iv) 


,  ■  A' 


-■,*(,\i^-\  .fAj 


^ 


A  MfrtM  of  books  cmbfadiig  manj  adTeotmw  under  oar  tamtam 
'Ti^^^"'^  ««i  with  oar  arkf  dariu  the^  o?18Sn2S 
xUyt^a.  W«r.    Foandod  on  waiMl  htto^liw  1»o£iVm  irfJSS 

Oadot  Kit  0.M,  BMidy.  th.  PUot 

OapUlnOToy  Tom  TrOxton'.  Bohool  Dv 

mtO««y.Proto,6  Tom  Tnixton'.  006M1  Trip 

lii«it.  OMor'*  liuok  TrwMuroofthoOoldon  Orator 

Out  WiUi  Oommodore  DooMor  Won  at  Woat  Fo|ht 


Foar  mlendil  books  of  adrentare  on  wa  and  land,  by  thi^  4«ll> 
known  writer  for  boys.  ■»,  «/ i-i«  ^«up 

Oiant  Islanders.  The  Hatii*e-»  roun«  iTobleman* 

„HowHeWon  Btrai  Battalions 


%AI«TKR  MOl 


IRUI. 


Thwcjaraaing  story  contains  thirty-two  chapters  of  just  the  sort  of 
school  life  that  charms  the  boy  waders.      •  ^  "■or^oi    . 

Bob  Porter  at  loikevlev  ▲oadomr 


*y^'  5?^  ]■  '^^o'J*  ■  "▼»!  M  •  writer  of  "Ciicas  Stories"  Mit 
te;    These  fpor  books  are  fall  of  thrilling  adventaies,  bat  good, 
wlitouome  reading  for  yoang  Americans.  '^: 

Plill,  the  Showman  Tonne  Showman's  Plook.  The 

Tonntf  Showman's  Blrals.  The      Tonne  Showman's  Trinmph 


[       I«IB17T.  J4BIE8  K.  ORTON. 

When  ^  boy  has  lead  one  df  Lieat  Orton's  books,  it  raqoires  no 
Mging  to  ipdaoe  him  to  read  the  otheis.    Not  a  dnlTpage  ui  any  of 


Beaoh  Boy  Joe 
Irfwt  Ghanoe  Mine 


Seeret  Chart,  The 

Tom  Havens  with  the  Whit* 
Sqnadron 


DAYIp  MoKAT,  Publisher,  PhlladeliiliiA. 

^  (t) 


y 


JAMBS  <Kiri8. 

Mr.  OtU  1»  known  by  newly  every  American  boy,  and  needk  no  la- 
troauction  here.    Tiie  foUowing  copyright!  are  among  hif  beet : 

Ohned.  Throagh  XTorway  Unprovoked  Mntlnr 

Inland  Waterway*  WheeUi^  tor  Fortune 

Beaben  Oreen'a  4-dTenturea  at  Tale  ' 


TT 


.x.^^  5**J?"  ba*  had  the  distinction  of  lihring  hie  booki  adopted  by 
52®  .V-  ^  Government  for  aU  naviEl  Ubrarite  on  board  our  war  ships. 
While  aimiSg  to  avoid  the  extravagant  add  sensaUonal,  the  stories 
oontain  enough  thnlling  inddente  to  pleaselthe  lad  who  loves  action 
Sn  J  2."*^"  ^"  *be  Kockspur  storiee  th*  description  of  thetr  Base- 
ball and  Football  Games  atfd  other  contests  bith  rival  tlubs  and  teams 
5!!!!5  ^^'y  «^«*t»°«  <">d  absorbing  reading!;  and  few  uovs  with  warm 
blood  in  their  veins,  having  once  begun- ihe  perusal  of  one  of  these 
books,  will  willingly  lay  it  down  till  ft  is  ^hed. 


Boy  Boomers 
Boy  OatiUe  King 
Boy  from  the  West 
Don  Kirke'f  Mine 


Jnd  and  Joe 
Bockspnr  Ifine,  The 
Bookspnr  Meven,  The 
Bookapnr  Bivals,  The 


-r-^ 


^  8X*  GBORGB  RATHBOWNB. 

Mr.  Bathbome's  stories  for  boys  have  the  peculiar  charm  of 
dealing  with  localities  and  conditions  with  which  he  is  thoroughly 
familiar.  The  scenes  of  these  excellent  stories  are  along  the  iElorida 
coast  and  on  the  western  prairie^.  ^^ 


Oanoe  and  Oamp  Tire 
Paddling  Under  PiUnetttfs 
{ft    Bival  Oanoe  Boys 
Sunset  Baaoh 


Ohuma  of  the  Prairie 
Tonng  Bange  Bidara 
Oulf  Omisers 
Bhifting  Winds 


An  American  story  by  an  American  author.     It  relates  bow  a 

Yankee  boy  overcame  many  obataeles  in  schotd  and  out    Thoroughly 

"  interesting  from  start  to  finisl|.  -o    ' 

0«y  :6aahleigh's  Aoadamy  Days 


(vi) 


%j 


i»*t 


i.  f*  J*'!.''  i.-'^iij;  ■^i 


■»,rvf'-i 


^ *»ok  WhMlar 


The  Famous  Frank  Merriwell  Stories, 

BCRX  I^  8XANDI8H.  • 

boy*.    He  fil^^W  hIKS  InJ  T^^  '^^  **?  *^«  »»««•  <>'  t^e 


Prwik  MerriweU's  Bohool  Days 
Trank  Merrlwell'a  Chums 
I'nuik  Merrlwell's  Foes 
Prank  MeniweU's  Trip  West 
Prank  Xerrlwell  Down  Sonth 
Prank  MerriweU's  Brav^rj 

IW  MerrlweU'.  Baoe.  . .  _  -.^we„-.  «etun 

Prank  MerriweU's  Huntln«  Tour  Prank  MerrlwoU's  Secret 
Prank  MerriweU's  Itoraltr 


Pr^nk  MerriweU's  BpoH*  Afield 
Prank  Merrlweil  at  Tale 
Prank  MerriweU's  Oourace 
Prank  MerriweU's  Darin* 
Prank  Merrlwol^'e  SklU 
Prank  MeniweU's  Champions 
Prank  MerriweU's  Betom  to  Yale 


VICTOR  »T.  CI.AIR. 

These  books 
piMue  the  full-. 

which  there  can  be  any  objecuon  irom^  moM  who  ai 
kind  of  books  they  jjut  into  the  hands  of  the  young. 
Oast  Away  tathe  Jungle  p,o4  Bwltoh  to  Lever 

_____^^__^_  Btp,  the  Acrobat 


niATXSIS^W  IVHtlTH,  JR. 


DAVm  MoKAT,  Pablisher,  PhUadelplila. 

(yii) 


/k: 


'?* 


*  ■■■.■"■  -';  ■  ■   ■'  V 

One  of  th»  moit  popnlv  imUion  of  bo|B'  bookk    Here  an  Uum 
of  hiBbeit  "         r 

Wark  I>iae*s  Btac*  T«ntaM  Toons  Bank  Olwk,  Tf 

'foong  Bridge  Tender,  The 


^ 


This  Tery  intereidng  etofT  reletee  the  4riaia  and  thnmplia  of  a 
Young  Ameiioaa  Aotor,  iaolading  the  eolation  of  a  Tezy  piuding 

myeten^  '\ 

Tonne  Aetor,  The 


This  book  is  not  a  ireatiae  on  qmrta,  as  the  title  would  indicate,  hot 

telatfls  a  aeriea  of  thf?1H»g  adventores  among  boj  campexs  in  the 

iroodsot  llaine. 

Boata.  Bate  and  Bioyolee 


DAVID  MdSULY,  PublUlisr,  Fblladelvliia. 

(tiU) 


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